OAU Students Launch Safe Communities Project to Combat Sexual Violence
Students at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have launched the Safe Communities Project to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) on campus and in nearby communities.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) students in Ile-Ife, Osun State, have unveiled a project aimed at addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) within the university and nearby communities. The initiative, named the Safe Communities Project, is part of LEAP Africa’s Youth Leadership Development Programme’s Sustainability Pathway and is in collaboration with the VARSH Foundation.
The team leader, Hassanat Adebowale, emphasized that the project aims to equip student leaders with the knowledge and skills to become advocates against SGBV. “Our goal is to create a culture of safety and respect that will extend across campus and the surrounding areas,” she stated during the two-day intensive training session held at OAU.
The training, which brought together 24 students, including members of the Students' Union, focused on understanding the root causes of SGBV, recognition of signs, and developing response strategies and advocacy methods. Professor Boladale Mapayi from OAU's Department of Mental Health led a session on practical skills for addressing SGBV on campus.
Omolola Pedro, Head of the Gender Unit at the Take It Back Movement and facilitator at the event, highlighted the broader purpose of the project: “We are building young leaders who will actively intervene and foster lasting change in their communities."
The initiative also received strong support from the Great Ife Students' Union, with the Vice President, Odediji Christianah, stating, "Student leaders have a responsibility to create a safe environment for everyone on campus, and this training has equipped us with the necessary tools."
Other key participants from the Students’ Union included Fajuyi Ikeoluwa, Financial Secretary; Babatimeyin Kinfeosi, Secretary-General; and Busari Samuel, Welfare Officer.
Salvation Grace, the Executive Director of VARSH Foundation, praised the partnership between the students, VARSH Foundation, and LEAP Africa, noting that this collaboration sets a significant precedent for addressing SGBV across Nigerian universities.
Efforts to combat sexual violence in Nigeria remain a critical issue, with agencies like the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (LDSVA) continuing to raise awareness. Recently, the LDSVA revealed that it handles an average of 300 domestic violence cases per month, with over 6,333 survivors supported over the past decade.
