Gulu University Launches Safer Campuses Campaign against GBV

Gulu University has launched Safer Campuses Campaign as the Global 16 days of Activism against Gender-based Violence kicks off from 25^th November to 10^th December 2024.

The Gulu University Vice Chancellor, Prof. George Ladaah Openjuru officially launched the Campaign on Monday 25^th from the University New Library with hundreds of students, and different stakeholders in attendance.

The campaign launched under the theme “Towards Beijing +30: Unite to Create Safe Spaces in Fight Against Gender Based Violence” was supported by the UN Women, United Nations Development Programme-UNDP, the Uganda Law Society among other partners.

Prof. Openjuru who talked tough and condemned GBV in learning institutions and the communities says he does not tolerate violence on women and girls.

“Violence against Women and girls is very bad, absolutely backward, and primitive. Have you ever seen goats and chicken fighting their females? If birds and animals cannot do that then how about you? If you do that it means your thinking level is lower than that of a chicken,” Prof. Openjuru comically tells the students, and stakeholders during the launch.

The Vice Chancellor encouraged students to report all cases of GBV on women, girls, men and boys without fear or favor so that the perpetrators are dealt with.

Dr. Stella Eduan Ameru, the Gulu University Dean of Students appreciated the student leaders for spearheading the campaign launch and mobilizing more boys to attend the engagement.

“This campaign is not only for girls but also boys. I appreciate that there are more boys than the girls in this dialogue. When you preach an end to GBV without involving the perpetrators, it’s useless” Dr. Ameru says.

Florence Ochola, the UNDP Area Coordinator, says this is the first time the UN is launching such a campaign in a university. She appreciated Gulu University for hosting the event and requested the Vice Chancellor to continue hosting the event in the coming years.

Dr. Doreen Chemutai, Coordinator Gender Mainstreaming Gulu University says the 16 days of Activism against GBV is the time for everyone to reflect on the different systems and sensitize the public to join hands in the fight.

While closing the launch, the Gulu University Secretary David Obol Otori said Keep Campus Clean Drive was also launched this year by the university to maintain general ambience and give a good and conducive learning environment to students. This according to him is part of keeping campus safe in addition to the fight against GBV.