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Despite increasing awareness and education activities on the issues of sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) in the country, a baseline study conducted on this menace showed that rampant cases of sexual harassment, rape, molestation, unprotected sexual activity, substance abuse and commercial sex continued unabated in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The study conducted by a research team from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, also revealed shocking findings: unsafe places and “ungoverned spaces” within campuses, due to poor lighting, especially at night, are largely the scenes of such incidents of sexual violence in many tertiary institutions.
The team, comprising eight senior academics, is led by the former Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, Prof. Oluyemisi Obilade as the Principal Investigator, and also includes Prof. Olutoyin Mejiuni of the Department of Adult Education and Lifelong Learning, Obafemi Awolowo University, as well as the Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development of the institution, Prof. Akanni Akinyemi.
Other co-researchers are Dr. Oluwatoyin Ilesanmi of Redeemers University, Ede, Dr. Lanre Ikuteyijo of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, OAU, and Dr. Bisola Adebayo of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
The others are Dr. Oyeyemi Bukola Babalola and Mr. Tope Aborisade, both of the Department of Psychology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
A well attended dissemination/validation workshop was held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, attended by the Vice-Rector of the University, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, represented by his Deputy, as well as the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Amb. Gabriel Tanimu Aduda.
Other senior government officials present included the Osun State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Ademola Adeleke, the State Commissioner Representative, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Lola Adewale, the Director, Gender, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, Kaduna State, Mrs. Lamin Usman.
Photo: Courtesy call by members of the research team to the former Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning of Osun State, Prof. Yinusa
Also present were representatives of the National University Commission, Mrs. Oge Okafor and the medical directors of the University of Abuja and the Federal College of Education, Zuba.
In her presentation, lead researcher Professor Obilade said the findings highlighted that many reported cases of sexual violence and abuse are more frequent on campuses where the majority of students live off-campus.
According to her, the study was conducted in selected public and private universities, polytechnics and faculties of education in four Nigerian states: Osun, Enugu, Kaduna and FCT Abuja.
More specifically, the institutions involved are: OAU, Bowen University, Iwo, Kaduna Polytechnic, College of Education, Zuba, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Kaduna State University, University of Abuja, College of Education, Ilesa and Enugu State University of Technology.
Regarding the methodology, Obilade stated that the cross-sectional sequence
A mixed design was used that included the use of both quantitative and qualitative techniques for data collection.
Speaking about further findings of the study, she said that cases of SGBV violations, especially rape, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation of women, have been reported rampantly in many institutions and surprisingly, male students are vulnerable.
Among the factors believed to trigger the incidence of SGBV violations are personal factors, including poor academic performance, students’ desire for better grades, financial constraints, alcohol and substance abuse.
The findings also highlighted other structural and environmental factors that are not personal to the individuals involved.
Obilade said: “There are systemic problems with the institutions involved that are not within the individuals involved. This includes unsafe and ungoverned spaces.
“There are environments that foster sexual and gender-based violence, for example, dark spots on campuses, inadequate security measures on and off campuses, poor lighting, and poor security surveillance around campuses.
“Our findings revealed that female students are mostly raped in these dangerous and isolated areas.”
The findings also listed perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence in tertiary institutions, including academic and administrative staff, students, family members, strangers, and students’ neighbors, particularly those living off campus.
Earlier, in his address at the workshop, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, commended Obafemi Awolowo University and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund) through the National Research Fund Grant for putting together this timely initiative.
Represented by a Director of the Ministry, Mrs. Udeme, the PS expressed hope that the findings of the research will undoubtedly help in the formulation of policies and strategies aimed at ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment for our students, especially female students who are often victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
Aduda stressed: “I commend the principal investigator and her research team for their intellectual excellence that led to the success of this research. I would like to implore us to continue to hold each other accountable to address the root causes of sexual and gender-based violence and ensure that appropriate sanctions are imposed on perpetrators as required by law.”
The post SGBV: Study Shows Sexual Practices Rampant in ‘Ungoverned Spaces, Dark Spots’ in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions appeared first on TheConclaveNg.
