IHS Nigeria pushes stronger GBV response in workplace

IHS Nigeria has stepped up its campaign for a safer, more accountable work environment, leading a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) awareness walk and hosting an expert-led advocacy seminar in Lagos as part of efforts to strengthen workplace safeguards and reinforce its zero-tolerance stance on harassment, abuse and discrimination.

The combined initiative underscored the company’s commitment to strengthening prevention systems, empowering employees, and reinforcing its zero-tolerance stance toward all forms of harassment, abuse, and discrimination.

The awareness walk, which took place along Adeola Odeku and Idejo Streets on Victoria Island, saw male and female employees marching in solidarity with survivors and advocates worldwide. Carrying placards and messages urging respect, vigilance, and early intervention, the staff signalled IHS Nigeria’s continuing resolve to keep workplace safety rooted in both policy and practice.

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At the post-walk seminar held at the company’s corporate head office, Bukola Konkwo, associate director, operations excellence at IHS Nigeria and one of the leaders of the Women in IHS Network (WIIN), set the tone with a call for intentional action.

“Violence does not discriminate, and neither should our compassion. At IHS Nigeria, boldness is not just a value on paper, it is a call to action. We are intentional about ensuring every employee feels safe, respected, and empowered,” she said.

The seminar featured two leading voices in GBV prevention: Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, executive secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, and Nwanne Okafor, a victimologist and gender-based violence advocate.

Vivour-Adeniyi stressed the urgency of education and vigilance, emphasising that GBV is not a selective problem. “Gender-based violence is not a special-class problem. Anybody can be a victim. Our responsibility is to know the signs, protect one another, and intervene early. When we know better, we do better,” she said.

She also urged organisations to prioritise consent education, confidential reporting structures, and rigorous background checks, areas in which IHS Nigeria has made significant strides through its Safe Zone Committee, a confidential support mechanism for staff.

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Okafor, speaking on the role of colleagues in identifying and responding to abuse, highlighted the need for empathy and discretion.

“Many victims don’t need you to fix their situation; they need your support, your sensitivity, and your discretion. Speak up when necessary. Silence gives violence permission,” she said, drawing from real-life cases that illustrated how abuse undermines productivity, mental health, and overall workplace wellbeing.

Closing the session, Titilope Oguntuga, director of sustainability at IHS Nigeria, reaffirmed the organisation’s long-term commitment. “This conversation doesn’t end today. Now that we know better, we must all do better, by advocating, supporting, and actively contributing to a workplace free of violence in any form,” she said.

IHS Nigeria continues to strengthen its internal policies, training programmes, reporting channels, and staff sensitisation efforts as it pushes for a more resilient workplace response to gender-based violence.

Royal Ibeh is a senior journalist with years of experience reporting on Nigeria’s technology and health sectors. She currently covers the Technology and Health beats for BusinessDay newspaper, where she writes in-depth stories on digital innovation, telecom infrastructure, healthcare systems, and public health policies.

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