Uniport and AFA Promote Women's Rights for IWD 2026

On March 8, 2026, the University of Port Harcourt, in collaboration with the Alliance for Africa, will mark International Women's Day (IWD) by organizing a workshop aimed at promoting justice and rights for women and girls. This event aligns with the global theme of IWD, which calls for urgent action towards gender equality.

Prof. Owapiriba Abu, Director of the Centre for Gender Conflict Development Studies at the university, highlighted the existing legal frameworks in Nigeria that protect individuals from sexual abuse and gender-based violence.

However, she stressed that justice must be reflected in institutional practices. The workshop aims to address the culture of silence surrounding sexual harassment in academic environments, advocating for a safe and respectful learning atmosphere.

Dr. Emem Okon, Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development Resource Centre, emphasized the need for independent sexual harassment response units in universities and mandatory training for staff.

The event will also launch a baseline survey on sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions.