Firm, OAU students partner to tackle sexual violence on Campus

The VARSH foundation, in collaboration with LEAP Africa, has partnered with students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) to fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) on campus and within surrounding communities.

This initiative known as the Safe Communities Project, is part of LEAP Africa’s Youth Leadership Development Program’s Sustainability Pathway aimed to create safer environments both on campus and in surrounding communities.

The training took place during a two-day intensive workshop held at the institution.

The Project Team Lead of foundation, Hassanat Adebowale, explained that the core mission is to empower student leaders with the expertise needed to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

Adebowale noted that the training is designed to instill a culture of safety and respect across the campus, with an impact that will extend beyond the university.

“Our primary aim is to equip student leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to be effective advocates against SGBV. We envision a campus culture where safety and respect are the norm, and this ethos extends into the broader community. This training is a foundational step in fostering such an environment.”

One of the initiative’s facilitators, Omolola Pedro, noted that the project is not only about raising immediate awareness but also about ensuring sustained impact.

Pedro explained that by equipping students with the necessary tools and confidence, the initiative would establish a foundation for continuous, positive transformation within their communities and beyond.

“We are building a cadre of young leaders equipped to actively intervene and drive lasting change in their communities. This initiative is about nurturing a proactive approach to creating safer environments. By empowering these students with the tools and confidence they need, we aim to establish a foundation for continuous, positive transformation within their communities and beyond. The change we are cultivating here is designed to ripple outwards, influencing others to adopt similar approaches and ultimately contributing to a broader cultural shift towards safety and respect.”

In her remarks, the Vice President of the OAU Students’ Union, Christianah Odediji, reiterated the student union’s and management’s commitment to creating a safer campus environment.

She noted that as leaders, they bear the responsibility of fostering a secure space for all students.

Odediji added that the training has equipped them with the necessary tools to effectively address issues of sexual and gender-based violence, enabling them to take meaningful action and lead by example in ensuring that the campus is a place where everyone feels safe and respected.