ALUMNI PROFILES OLUWASEUN OSOWOBI MSc International Relations. Class of 2012. CAMPAIGNER. ACT IVIST. OBAMA FELLOW.
Campaigner, activist and Obama fellow, Oluwaseun is working hard to educate about and reduce gender-based violence, with her Stand to End Rape initiative. Why did you choose to study at Swansea University for your Master’s in International Relations ? I was interested in studying a course with a component of human rights and gender equality, while also investigating the economic and political relationships between countries and government and how this impacts those two issues. Initially, I had settled to study International Management, however, it was limited in its research on human rights. I began researching various institutions across the UK that offer my specific interest area. My agent at the time advised me to consider Swansea University and spoke widely about the perks of studying at the institution, including affordable tuition and a wonderful location. After reviewing various articles and posts about the institution, I knew I had found a home for my future. And yes, the scholarship for international students was also one of the perks. What is your favourite memory of your time at Swansea ? My favourite memory of being in Swansea is building a community of friends and family within the school and social settings. I loved the church activities, study times with other students at the library, hopping on the bus to get to work with colleagues. As a master’s degree student, I was keen on not only gaining academic experience, but also professional experience. I was able to get a job within the College of Arts and Humanities as well as in other formal work sectors. Some of these jobs contributed to my length of work experience and the funds raised aided the establishment of my organisation in Nigeria. Since graduating you have founded the Stand to End Rape Initiative (STER) and been a vocal advocate and campaigner to end gender based violence. What has been your biggest challenge in getting the charity established ? Speaking up about ending sexual and gender-based violence was a huge difficulty especially in religious and cultural settings. Challenging social stigma and archaic cultural beliefs were one of the biggest challenges of establishing STER. The culture of silence over time has forced survivors to damnation, living with their pains every day, sometimes with their abusers, and watching the perpetrators walk freely just so they ‘protect the family name and dignity’ by keeping silent. Raising awareness on gender equality and sexual and gender-based violence was like attempting to dismantle social norms and beliefs that have been upheld for centuries. As such, engaging with different target audiences on the need to intensify efforts to prevent sexual and gender-based violence by teaching consent to boys and
men for example, was met with so much resistance. There was also pushback on encouraging survivors of such crimes to speak up to receive adequate support. What have you been most proud of since founding STER ? The proudest moment for me has been the joy in the faces of the survivors we have worked with. There is an innate sense of accomplishment when the organisation removes a victim from an abusive situation and months/years down the line, the survivor is safe and living the life they truly enjoy. In most cases, the survivors we support, as a means to pay it forward, join STER as a volunteer or staff to further push the mandate of the organisation. That is one of the greatest feelings any founder could ever have. You’ve been honoured as the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year and as an Obama Foundation Emerging Leader. How does it feel to have your work recognised so prominently. It feels great to have been honoured as a #TIMENEXT100, Commonwealth Young Person of the Year 2019 and an Obama Foundation Leader in Africa, among others. These are incredibly prominent platforms and being recognized for the work STER is undertaking is testament to the impact the organisation is making, not only in Nigeria, but across the world. This encourages us to intensify our efforts and inspires other young people to be change agents. Nonetheless, with the recognition comes the responsibility of public accountability, leadership for the community and sustenance of the vision. Who’s the most famous person you have met at these awards ceremonies ? I met with former President Barack Obama at the Obama Foundation Leaders in Africa convening in Johannesburg, South Africa and I was like ‘oh my goodness! It is Barack Obama right here in front of me.’ You know that moment when your celebrity friend walks in and you want to scream ‘yeah, that’s my friend. I know her.’! It was a surreal moment for me to be standing next to such a world-renowned change agent. I really enjoyed the keynote message he shared during one of the sessions. Are you still in touch with any of your Swansea friends ? I kept contact with a couple of friends I made in Swansea especially my housemate, Temi Coker, who has become more like a sister now. Our friendship blossomed into a relationship that has yielded opportunities among other things. I also share a good relationship with a couple of others that I met in Swansea whether as students, staff of the institution, like Bev Evans of the College of Arts and Humanities, or members of social communities I was involved with.
10
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker