Women in Academics at the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), Nasarawa State, have unveiled an initiative to shield women and girls from online as well as campus bullying and harassment.
President of the forum, Prof. Aleruchi Chuku, stated this in her opening remarks on Friday in Lafia at a public lecture in honour of Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university, Prof. Shehu Abdul-Rahaman, for his administrative inclusiveness.
The President, represented by Vice President of the group, Prof. Zara Kwaghe, pledged to lead advocacy, create safe‑space programmes, and push for stronger reporting mechanisms to curtail all forms of bullying and harassment against women.
She said bullying and harassment of any kind against a woman or girl child was capable of affecting academic progress and progress in life generally.
According to her, the association was working in collaboration with the management of the institution and other stakeholders to turn the campuses into zero‑tolerance zones for gender‑based violence.
Chuku gave the theme of the lecture as “Gender Expectations in Online Interaction and Digital Violence Targeted against Girls in Secondary Schools in Lafia Metropolis”, saying it was carefully chosen to enlighten girls on what to do and where to seek redress when harassed.
She said secondary school students were educated on their rights and what they were supposed to do if harassed by anybody on campus or on social media platforms.
Chuku explained that bullying and harassment had moved from the physical to the digital platforms, where women and girls were being pressured by other members of society.
“As educators, scholars, and policy influencers, we cannot ignore the growing impact of digital spaces on young girls.
“Spaces that should empower them through skills and knowledge opportunities had often exposed them to violence, discrimination and silencing.
“This programme reflects our resolve to amplify conversations that protect the dignity, safety, and future of girls and women to contribute meaningfully to global discourses on gender, education, and digital citizenship,” she added.
Chuku advised women and girls to know the kind of content and conversation they had on social media platforms because being precious beings, they must always represent positivity and good values.
