EXPLORING THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITY-BASED GENDER CENTRES IN RESPONDING TO SEXUAL AND GENDER- BASED VIOLENCE AND ADVANCING GENDER EQUALITY IN NIGERIA: THE “GOWN TO TOWN” APPROACH

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EXPLORING THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITY-BASED GENDER CENTRES IN RESPONDING TO SEXUAL AND GENDER- BASED VIOLENCE AND ADVANCING GENDER EQUALITY IN NIGERIA: THE “GOWN TO TOWN” APPROACH

This study presents qualitative findings from five Nigerian universities—Federal University Lafia(FULafia), Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM) formerly known as Benue State University, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Bayero University Kano (BUK), and University of Calabar (UNICAL)—to explore the roles, achievements, and challenges of their Gender Centres. Data were collected through key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with staff, students, and stakeholders.

Analysis was conducted thematically across institutional role, policy influence, leadership support, barriers, empowerment initiatives, community engagement, and SGBV response. Findings indicate that while all Centres contribute to gender-sensitive policies and empowerment, differences in institutional age, leadership commitment, and resourcing shape their effectiveness. The Centres confront common challenges, including the culture of silence driven by fear of reprisal, reputational risk, and low trust in redress systems surrounding SGBV, patriarchal norms, and funding shortages, yet they have made significant strides in shifting institutional cultures and extending engagement to surrounding communities. This study situates the findings within existing literature on gender mainstreaming in higher education and highlights implications for sustainability, survivor-centred programming, and policy enforcement.

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