… Says self-defence goes beyond physical combat

… Cautions against trading dignity for academic success

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo State, Prof. Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, has urged female students to speak up against sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and all forms of abuse.

While calling for the protection of female students in tertiary institutions across the country, Adejuyigbe stressed that no student should ever have to sacrifice her dignity to achieve academic success.

The UNIMED Vice-Chancellor stated this during the grand finale of a self-defence skills training programme organised by the National Female Students Association of Nigeria (NFSAN), Ondo State Chapter.

With the theme of the event tagged “Not a Victim: Self-Defence Skills for a Safer Tomorrow”, which was held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Adejuyigbe delivered the keynote address titled “Self-Defence Skills for a Safer Tomorrow: Empowering Female Students to Live Without Fear”.

The Vice-Chancellor described personal safety, dignity, and freedom from intimidation as fundamental pillars of female empowerment.

Adejuyigbe, who commended NFSAN for the initiative, noted that self-defence extends far beyond physical combat, adding that true self-defence encompasses situational awareness, confidence, the ability to recognise warning signs, setting personal boundaries, and knowing when to seek assistance.

She emphasised that female students must be empowered to recognise inappropriate advances, reject unwanted relationships, and report abuse without fear of victimisation, intimidation, or academic consequences.

The vice-chancellor expressed concern over the culture of silence surrounding sexual violence, stressing that fear of stigma, family reputation, and public opinion often discouraged victims and their relatives from reporting abuse or seeking help.

She maintained that survivors of sexual violence require protection, medical attention, psychological support, and access to justice rather than blame or humiliation.

Speaking on efforts to promote a safe learning environment at UNIMED, Adejuyigbe harped on the university’s “Speak Up UNIMED” initiative, which she said provides safe and confidential channels for reporting sexual harassment, bullying, victimisation, sex-for-grades, and other unethical practices.

The Vice-Chancellor further warned against digital threats, including cyberbullying, online stalking, sexual extortion, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

The convener of the programme, Miss Precious Ikuenomore, stated that the initiative was conceived to move beyond sensitisation and equip female students with practical self-defence techniques, situational awareness, and the confidence to respond to dangerous situations.