UI SU, NGO Hold Rally Against Gender-Based Violence

Lawal Maruf

The University of Ibadan Students’ Union, in partnership with a non-governmental organization, Society For Good Health, Sustainable Development & Environmental Awareness, on Monday, October 1, 2023, organised a solidarity walk against gender-based violence with the theme “Take a Stand against Gender-based Violence”.

The walk which started from UI First Gate had in attendance almost 40 University of Ibadan students including the executive members of the UI SU.

Stressing the negative impacts of gender-based violence using placards that contained various inscriptions, the students had stopovers at Bodija market, Aare avenue junction, and Awolowo junction where they sensitised the people around before finally stopping at the Oyo State Secretariat.

According to the head of the NGO, Mrs Ronke Ojo, she stated that the movement is opposed to gender-based violence which is very rampant all over Africa, especially in Nigeria.

“A lot of people then die in silence, therefore, we are the voice to the voiceless and we want people to speak out about this issue”.

“The United Nations says that about one or three women have been assaulted and many of us have experienced one or two forms of violence. We have a safe place (in the organisation) where people can report to and we will be able to direct them to psychologists, social workers, or even the Police”. She added.

The Communications Officer of the organization, Joshua Popoola, also noted that the rally is a solidarity support for people who are victims of gender based violence to create awareness for them and to seek help whenever they are humiliated.

“So anybody who is a victim and knows that there is a community (like this) who would not stigmatize them would automatically seek for help and we will be able to help them out”.

Addressing the participants, UI SU President, Samuel Samson Tobiloba, expressed his profound gratitude to them for coming out en masse for the rally despite the short notification of the event. He also implored them to oppose and shun all forms of gender based violence and spread the message across their acquaintances.

“We are not just stopping here, we are going to various homes, communities and to tell our parents and friends that they should not engage in gender based violence”, he added.