In an effort to checkmate gender-based violence and its accomplices within the Institution and the society at large, the Management of the Hallmark University Ijebu-Itele, Ogun State, has hosted the Gender Mobile Team, Abuja branch on Monday 20th April, 2023.
A four-member Gender Mobile Team was received at the Council Chambers of the Institution.
While addressing the Management team, the Director of the Gender Mobile Team, Barr. Omowunmi Ogunrotimi, stated that the presence of their organisation within the society is to identify, mitigate, solve and/or checkmate the gender-based violence.
Ogunrotimi confirmed that sexual harassment is part of issues surrounding gender-based violence, noting that victims may choose not to speak out because of lack of institutional trust or fear of being shunned or stigmatized.
“A lot of times, victims would have their voices hushed and just want to finish their studies in one piece,” she said. She identified the deeper roots of sexual harassment and consent enlightenment, saying that actions rewarded and sanctioned play a great role in how victims respond as well as showing where the Institutions stands on the matter.
She appreciated the Management on the opportunity to visit the University and informed them about the services rendered by their organisation.
Responding to the Gender Mobile Team’s presentation, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Segun Odunola, disclosed that the varsity is mindful of all the issues bordering on gender violence and has zero tolerance to these issues, explaining that the institution deals with such related matters in line with the laid down rules and regulations derived from the extant laws of the institution.
Odunola noted that gender-based issues are not limited only to the female members of any society, saying that male victims of these violence acts most times do not speak out because of likely stigmatization that may arise from this matters and harassment could come in different and diverse forms.
He thanked the team for visiting the University and that the Institution would be willing to collaborate with the organization in its quest to rid the society of gender violence issues.
The Abuja based Gender Mobile Team members are: Sarah Egbo, Dr. Adefunke Ekine, Barrister Omowunmi Ogunrotimi and Olawunmi Awolaja.
Management team in attendance includes
1. Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Segun Odunola;
2. Ag. Librarian, Miss. Faith Ohwofasa;
3. Ag. Director, Academic Planning Unit, Dr. Y.M. Feruke-Bello
4. Dean, Faculty of Management & Social Sciences, Prof. O.B. Adetola;
5. Ag. Dean of Students, Mrs. A.O. Olive Adelodun;
6. Head, Department of Computer Science, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Ejeguru;
7. SAR, Students Affairs Officer,Mr. Dele Awoyemi;
8. AR, Senate & Admissions, Mr. S.O. Opakunle
9, Media, Mr. S. A. Oladejo