THE EU-UN SPONSORED SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE TRAINING AT VERITAS UNIVERSITY, ABUJA

September-21-2021 09:55:18

The Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF) was at Veritas University, Abuja on the 5th July, 2021 to facilitate the EU-UN sponsored Spotlight Initiative programme on the Prevention of Campus Sexual Violence. The physical training afforded the participants (undergraduate and postgraduates students) the opportunity to be trained as advocates against the sexual and gender-based violence on campus.

The training commenced with an opening address by the Acting Director, Centre for Gender Studies in Veritas University Abuja, Dr (Mrs) Angela Ngozi Dick who is also the Coordinator of the School Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) Response Team in the institution. In her remarks, the Acting Director expressed profound gratitude to the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN) and WARIF for considering and choosing Veritas University, Abuja as one of the pioneer institutions in the country to participate in the Spotlight Initiative programme. She also conveyed her heartfelt gratitude to the participants that registered and turned out for the training; pointing out how the Centre for Gender Studies, in collaboration with the Ethics Directorate of the school remain determined in ensuring that Veritas University, Abuja maintains its zero-tolerance policy on any form of violence on campus.

During the workshops, participants were trained and given the chance to interact with one another on issues surrounding sexual misconducts, code of conduct, forms of GBV, causes and effects of GBV as well as legal and policy frameworks for the prevention and management of gender-based violence on campuses and beyond.
To conclude this session of the EU-UN sponsored Spotlight Initiative programme on the Prevention of Campus Sexual Violence, SRGBV Response Team members from Veritas University, Abuja led by the Secretary, Mr Patrick Sunday Ibbi were at the Corinthia Villa Hotel, Abuja for the Closeout Event on the 6th July, 2021. The closeout event had in attendance the representative of UN Women, Ms. Tosin Akibu, the WARIF team, and the response team members from the University of Abuja and Nile University of Nigeria. At the event, it was a moment for reflections and responses on the achievements along with the challenges encountered over the course of the Spotlight Initiative programme on the Prevention of Campus Sexual Violence. Thus, recommendations for improvement were noted.

Report compiled by Patrick Sunday Ibbi, Acting Secretary, CGS Veritas University Abuja