The Abia State Government, in partnership with the Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI), has launched a new campaign aimed at tackling sexual harassment in the state’s tertiary institutions.
The one-day campaign, held under the theme “Institutionalizing Campus Safety Initiative Framework at All Tertiary Institutions in Abia State,”brought together education leaders, government officials, and civil society groups to address the urgent need for safer academic environments.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Professor Eme Uche Eme, described the initiative as timely and essential. She warned that sexual harassment remains a deeply rooted problem, influenced by culture, tradition, and even religion.
“Sexual harassment, whether verbal or physical is real. It affects people of all genders. Your body is your private property, even if you are a call girl,” she said. She urged participants to recognize that harassment often begins with subtle behaviour, “one look at a time,” and stressed that same-gender harassment must also be acknowledged and addressed.
The event featured a presentation by GMI’s Learning and Evaluation Officer, Emmanuel Olatunde, who introduced the organisation’s “Theory of Change” model and defined various forms of harassment. He pointed to weak or poorly implemented policies as major causes of the problem.
He also unveiled Campus Pal, a mobile app developed by GMI to allow students and staff to anonymously report cases of sexual harassment. Olatunde described it as “a supportive digital community” aimed at empowering users to speak up safely and without fear.
Another key part of the initiative is the Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee (ISHPC), a seven-member body established in institutions that sign a Memorandum of Understanding with GMI. The committee is tasked with handling harassment cases transparently and fairly.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Chinyere Okeziem-Nwoko, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tertiary Education, said the adoption of anti-harassment policies marks a “significant milestone” in the state’s commitment to ensuring dignity and accountability in higher education.
“Today is more than a formality, it is a bold step that shows Abia stands with survivors,” she said, urging institutions to back their policies with real enforcement.
The campaign concluded with a collective pledge from participants to uphold a culture of respect, equality, and safety across all tertiary institutions in the state.