2018 Chevening Alumna Sarah Egbo is leading groundbreaking efforts to eliminate sexual and gender-based violence on higher education campuses across Nigeria.
Recently, Sarah was shortlisted for the prestigious Study UK Alumni Awards in Nigeria, recognised for her unwavering commitment to creating safer educational environments for women and girls in her home country.
During her time at the University of Sussex in 2018, where she studied Gender and Development with a Chevening Scholarship, Sarah was inspired to address gender equality issues in the education sector. This transformative experience equipped her with the essential skills and insights to effect change upon returning to Nigeria in 2020.
“Before applying for Chevening, my interactions with Chevening Alumni had a profound impact on me. I was struck by the camaraderie and shared purpose among Chevening Scholars, which inspired me to pursue my application.”
The expansive Chevening network has played a crucial role in Sarah’s professional journey, providing invaluable opportunities for collaboration, networking, and mutual support.
Sarah currently serves as the Policy Lead at the Gender Mobile Initiative, a Nigerian, female, and youth-led NGO advocating for systemic changes to foster equitable environments for women and girls. She spearheads the Campus Safety Initiative, a program designed to assist Nigerian higher education institutions in combatting sexual violence through policy advocacy, technology integration, bystander intervention, and preventive education. This initiative has positively influenced over 150,000 members of campus communities in prevention and response efforts related to sexual violence.
Guided by the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Sarah and her team are dedicated to reducing and ultimately eliminating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) while promoting the rights and empowerment of women and girls both in Nigeria and beyond.
One of the most significant challenges Sarah faces is combating deeply rooted attitudes surrounding SGBV that persist in some higher education settings. Achieving sustainable change in mindsets, behaviours, and social norms requires a comprehensive approach, and securing long-term commitment from institutions and stakeholders can be difficult. Nevertheless, the positive impact of the Campus Safety Initiative serves as a continuous source of motivation for her mission.
“My message to fellow women climbing the career ladder is this: always offer a helping hand to those aspiring to follow in your footsteps. Embrace mentorship and advocacy, and recognise that by uplifting one another, we drive forward the advancement of women in all fields.”
Mercy Nachalwe Chipampe is a 2009 Chevening Scholar and a leading expert in radiography and mammography. She has made innovative strides in early cancer detection and treatment in Zambia.
Just months after graduating from King's College London on a Chevening Scholarship, Viktoriia Neimanis already applying her knowledge and skills while working on the UK-led Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine, which supports reconstruction efforts in her homeland.
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