August 12, (THEWILL) – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have entered into a partnership to end gender-based violence in the institution.
This was disclosed during a rally organised by UNESCO, under its Spotlight Initiative, and the institution to draw attention to the menace. The rally was organised as part of plans to mark the 2023 International Youths Day themed ‘Green Skills for Youths: Towards a Sustainable World’.
Solomon Dogo, Programme Director, ISMPH – UNESCO Spotlight Initiative, who spoke on the sidelines of the rally, said: “We have developed a gender response manual, which was shared with the University of Calabar management and they have given us a commitment that the gender-based violence manual will be used as a curriculum within the school.
“We are happy that the University management has taken that strong commitment and the Student Union Government as well are committed to seeing that the school ends gender-based violence,” he said.
He explained that the Spotlight Initiative project is being implemented in six States. “In the first phase, we implemented it at the University of Lagos, University of Sokoto and University of Abuja,” he said.
He added that the second phase will be implemented at Ebonyi State University, University of Calabar and American International University, Yola.
The Spotlight Initiative, he added, “is trying to address the issue of GBV and that is why we will be going to other campuses to ensure that gender-based violence ends within the country.
“The students will be going out to the larger society and it is better they end it now while they are still on campus than when they go out.
“If they have that mindset that gender-based violence is not good then when they go out into the larger society, they will be able to become better citizens,” he said.
Grace Ibor, Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fund Management and Alumni Relations, University of Calabar, who spoke on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, said gender-based violence will be mainstreamed into the school curriculum.
“We are working with the Directorate of General Studies, Academic Planning and Directorate of Gender to infuse it into our curriculum to ensure it is properly mainstream.
“University of Calabar prioritises issues of youths because we have 45,000 youths in our community,” she said.
Also speaking, Kichiakwo Godsgift, SUG President, University of Calabar, said sexual-based violence persists in the institution and what triggers it is not limited to molestation or assault.
He disclosed that the menace was part of his manifesto to see how they can curb it, adding that with the help of the UNESCO Spotlight Initiative manual, they would be able to put an end to the menace.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
