The Director, Centre for Human Rights, University of Lagos, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, has said that the prevalence of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) remains a pressing concern, casting shadows on the safety, wellbeing, and educational experiences of students.

She noted that despite ongoing efforts, there is a recognised need for a more inclusive and student-centered approach to the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to eradicate SGBV.

She stated this at an event organised by the Center for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos and Women Advocates Research & Documentation Centre (WARDC) to commemorate this year’s International Human Rights Day, with funding from ActionAid; Women’s Rights Advancement & Protection Alternative (WRAPA) and MacArthur Foundation.

Other speakers at the event spoke on human right abuses in Nigeria including decrying the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence in academic institutions across the country.

At the event, which was organised to specifically mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Akiyode-Afolabi, said: “Change begins with conversations, and today marks a significant step towards fostering a safer, more inclusive educational environment.”Students’ voices will shape the path towards eradicating SGBV and promoting a campus culture rooted in respect, equality and empowerment.”

Also speaking, the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, represented by Anawyat Yakubu, said the global theme for this year’s International Human Rights Day ‘Freedom, Equality, and Justice for All’ is a call to action imploring stakeholders to unite in safeguarding the inherent rights of every citizen.

“With the world facing a climate emergency, the cost-of-living crisis, and multiple conflicts, the Declaration of Human Rights is more relevant than ever, yet the promise of dignity and equality in rights for everyone remains unfulfilled. As we in ActionAid Nigeria plan towards the development of our new Country Strategy Paper, we hold on to our Human Right-Based Approach to programming, contributing our quota towards furthering human rights to defeat poverty in Nigeria,” Mamedu said.

Some Nigerians who have championed human right cases were recognised and they include, President, Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; and former President of Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO), Ayo Obe.

At the event were over 1,000 students. Also, an inter-faculty debate was organised with a N200,000 cash prize; a panel discussion on the National Gender Policy, and the conferment of Human Rights Lifetime Award to legal luminary and Professor of Public Law and Criminology, Prof. Gbenga Akingbehin.