LASU Marks International Women’s Day, Calls for Stronger Protection of Women’s Rights

Lagos State University has commemorated the 2026 International Women’s Day with a renewed call for the protection of women’s rights, access to justice, and intensified action against gender-based violence.

The event, organised through the Centre for Response and Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (CRPSGBV), was held on March 26, 2026, at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Main Campus, Ojo, Lagos, under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.”

It brought together stakeholders from academia, development organisations, financial institutions, and civil society to reinforce collective strategies for addressing gender inequality and abuse.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, the Director of CRPSGBV described the theme as a call for intentional and sustained action toward gender equality, safety, and dignity. She noted that despite progress in recent years, structural barriers continue to limit women’s access to education, leadership, and justice, reaffirming the university’s commitment to strengthening institutional frameworks that promote equity and protection.

Delivering the Director’s address, Assistant Director in charge of rape cases, Philomena Ojomo, stressed that the rights of women and girls must be actively protected. She observed that many survivors of gender-based violence remain silent due to stigma, fear, and delayed justice, calling for stronger systems that ensure safe reporting and timely response.

She further highlighted the university’s zero-tolerance stance on sexual abuse and the establishment of the CRPSGBV as a key institutional mechanism positioning the university as a leader in addressing sexual and gender-based violence within Nigeria’s higher education system.

Goodwill messages from partner organisations reinforced the need for coordinated, multi-sectoral action. Forum of African Women Educationalists emphasised the role of education in empowering women and breaking cycles of silence around abuse, while Sterling One Foundation called for sustainable interventions that integrate justice, healthcare, and economic empowerment for survivors. Access Bank PLC also highlighted the importance of financial inclusion in strengthening women’s economic independence.

The event also featured insights from the National Campus Climate Baseline Survey on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Public Tertiary Institutions, which revealed persistent levels of gender-based violence across campuses and underscored the need for stronger enforcement of policies and institutional accountability.

A screening of the film Chatroom, which explores the realities of sexual violence, stigma, and survivor trauma, formed a major highlight of the programme, reinforcing the urgency of institutional support systems and safe reporting mechanisms.

Participants at the event were urged to move beyond advocacy toward measurable action in promoting gender equity, strengthening accountability structures, and fostering a culture of respect and inclusion within the university community and society at large.