Unijos forum raises awareness on GBV, sexual health

A growing concern over gender-based violence, sexual harassment and poor reproductive health practices among university students inspired a University of Jos undergraduate to take action. Through a campus-wide advocacy forum that brought together students, lecturers and professionals, participants were encouraged to break the silence surrounding abuse, embrace healthy lifestyles and work collectively towards creating a safer and more supportive academic environment. In this report, PALANG KASMI examines the initiative, the concerns raised by experts and students, and the expected impact of the campaign

On Tuesday, July 9, 2026, the Faculty of Management Sciences Auditorium of the University of Jos (UniJos) was filled with student leaders, students from various departments, including Mr. Unjos, lecturers and personalities from different walks of life for a gathering that was far from the usual academic lecture.

This time, it was a one-day advocacy programme on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Hygiene aimed at promoting a safer and healthier community within the University of Jos.

The forum, themed, ‘Promoting Safety, Dignity and Healthy Living’, was organised by a Psychology student of the institution in conjunction with the Office of the Vice President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) and the Nigerian Association of Psychology Students of the university.

The Convener of the forum, a 300-level Psychology student, Aziwhan Amotiamye from Cross River State, explained that the campaign was inspired by her observations of the stigma often attached to victims of Gender-Based Violence, while perpetrators frequently escape accountability.

Amotiamye, who is the current Vice President of the Psychology Department, said she had also observed that many forms of GBV occur on campus without people recognising them as violations, while others who are aware simply accept them as normal societal behaviour.

“So I wanted to change that perception or at least try my best to improve on these practices,” the convener explained.

While speaking on the various forms of GBV and how society often discourages men from expressing emotions, including crying, she highlighted the psychological, physical and emotional dimensions of violence and lamented that GBV affects all genders.

Sexual harassment on campus

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Younglan Tal, represented by the Deputy Speaker of the university, Mildred Kushim, said in his opening remarks that GBV is a global issue affecting communities, including universities.

The SUG president urged students to report incidents of GBV and adopt safe sexual and healthy practices in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, stressing that collective efforts were necessary to address the challenge.

“Students’ rights are often violated by fellow course mates. School security officials also sometimes violate students and even lecturers,” Amotiamye disclosed.

“It could be as a derogatory comment, a joking insult, harassment such as dragging a student out of an examination hall or queue instead of simply ushering them out politely by the security personnel. There is also the sex-for-grades issue and, often, students are afraid to say no because they fear the lecturers might fail them.”

Speaking further on poor sexual health practices on campuses, she noted that students often feel uncomfortable discussing sexual matters because of societal attitudes.

“But I feel when we can have certain uncomfortable conversations, people will be more open to seek help and counsel on sexual health without feeling judged,” Amotiamye explained.

Preventing infections through information, awareness

A resource person at the forum, Dr. Chisomago Iroogba, who delivered a presentation on personal sexual health and infection prevention, said young people need accurate information about sexual health to maintain safe and responsible sexual lives.

According to her, knowledge of contraceptive methods and preventive measures is essential in reducing the spread of diseases and infections.

“It is important to arm yourself with information that will prevent infection, HIV, and help you access health services while maintaining a safe and effective sex life,” Dr. Iroogba advised.

Emphasising that some sexually transmitted infections are incurable and can significantly affect quality of life, she decried unsafe sexual and reproductive health practices among students that often result in unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), urinary tract infections, reproductive tract infections and other negative health outcomes.

Dr. Iroogba added that a proper understanding of sexual health empowers young people to make informed and responsible decisions.

Also speaking on the risks associated with unhealthy sexual behaviour, Dr. Simi Dung of the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Jos, urged students to avoid reckless sexual practices that could result in serious consequences.

“Health is wealth. Don’t indulge in any practice that will affect your health,” she said, adding that abortion and multiple sexual partners are associated with various adverse health outcomes.

She further encouraged victims of GBV to seek assistance from organisations, associations and non-governmental organisations dedicated to supporting survivors.

Breaking the silence

Another speaker, Dr. Sahmicit Kumsuwa, Deputy Director of the Centre for Gender and Women Studies, encouraged students to embrace abstinence, which she described as the safest way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and a foundation for building healthy families.

The Deputy Director noted that following the withdrawal of USAID funding by the United States, many people now struggle to access HIV-related treatment and support services. She therefore advised students to avoid risky sexual practices and help prevent new HIV infections, noting that anti-retroviral drugs have become increasingly expensive and unaffordable for many people.

Also lending her voice to the discussion, Clinical Psychologist at the University of Jos, Dr. Naanban Goshit, examined GBV from a psychological perspective and said the forum provided a valuable platform for students to openly discuss issues surrounding violence and abuse.

Goshit explained that some forms of GBV are rooted in experiences inherited from childhood and criticised the culture of silence that continues to enable violence both on campuses and in society.

“The reason why many people don’t open up to report it, especially men, is due to societal norms and beliefs that a wife cannot beat her husband, so how can he report that his wife has beaten him?”

She encouraged individuals experiencing the effects of GBV, including loss of self-esteem, fear and trauma bonding, to seek help, speak out and access safe spaces where support is available.

“The cycle of silence must not continue. We are not only fighting violence but fighting systems that cannot work for you,” she stated, while urging students to utilise the services of the Psychology Centre at the University of Jos.

Statistics across Nigerian universities indicate a high prevalence of risky sexual behaviours, including inconsistent condom use, multiple sexual partners and transactional sex. These practices are often influenced by peer pressure, financial hardship and low utilisation of reproductive health services.

According to the National Institutes of Health, between 35 and 65 per cent of sexually active students report having concurrent multiple sexual partners, significantly increasing the risk of STI transmission.

The expected outcome of the advocacy forum, according to Amotiamye, is to increase awareness of GBV, promote good sexual hygiene and establish peer support groups aimed at reducing stigma and providing assistance to victims.

She recalled a tragic incident that occurred earlier this year in one of the Unijos hostels where a baby was reportedly found dead in a drainage pipe during renovation work.

“This made me really sad because if only that girl had abstained, or even taken proactive measures like contraceptives or made use of a condom, she wouldn’t have gotten pregnant and ended up committing murder.”

While appreciating her sponsors, the convener expressed optimism that participants would adopt healthier lifestyles and become advocates against GBV within the university and their communities.

She also expressed hope that the university authorities would establish a designated body responsible for handling harassment complaints.

“The absence of such a structure makes it difficult for students to report violations,” she said.

Among the highlights of the forum were poetry presentations and a stage performance by Theatre Arts students of the University of Jos focusing on Gender-Based Violence.

The performances showcased different forms of GBV and reinforced key messages encouraging survivors of abuse, trauma and violence to speak out and seek help.