27/04/2026
UNICAL Don Launches “Tokam” App to Curb Gender-Based Violence
. As VC Commends Initiative
A Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Health, University of Calabar (UNICAL), Dr. Glory Mbe Egom Nja, has launched the “Tokam” App to curb Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and give victims a platform to speak up.
The app was launched at the College of Medical Sciences Conference Hall, UNICAL, marking the close of targeted interventions to strengthen GBV care providers’ competencies and improve student reporting in Calabar Metropolis.
Speaking at the unveiling, Dr. Nja said “Tokam” is a research-driven digital platform ensuring anonymity, improving access to care, enhancing multi-sector responses, and boosting GBV reporting, especially school-related GBV.
The Don added that the app will serve Cross River State and beyond, positioning UNICAL as a leader in tech-driven responses to school-related GBV anchored on research, innovation, and collaboration.
Dr. Nja said her team is implementing research-based interventions to strengthen the capacity of GBV care providers and improve reporting practices among students at higher education institutions in Calabar Metropolis.
Dr. Nja, a two-time Women and Health Together for The Future (WHTF) grant awardee, thanked WHTF for funding the initiative.
Outlining objectives, Dr. Nja said sexual and gender-based violence remains a persistent underreported public health crisis, a cogent reason for the deployment of the digital platform for effective reporting of such cases.
To address this, Dr. Nja said her team organized the “Calabar Inter-Campus GBV Summit” which included a media panel, opening ceremony, 2-day evidence-based training for healthcare providers and GBV personnel, an inter-campus rally with five higher institutions, a one-day student sensitization workshop, and the launch of the “Tokam” App.
She expressed gratitude to God for the vision and commended the Vice Chancellor for his support, describing him as results-driven and committed to staff welfare and university advancement.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, represented by DVC Research, Linkages and Collaborations, Prof. Anthony Eneji, commended Dr. Nja for the initiative and timely intervention.
He said the app will strengthen reporting systems, empower survivors, and improve institutional response, creating safer campuses and access to care.
The Vice Chancellor described GBV as a “double-edged sword” with social, psychological, mental, and clinical consequences, urging a multidisciplinary approach involving sociologists, psychologists, legal practitioners, NGOs, CSOs, nurses, and other health professionals.
Prof. Offiong encouraged staff and students to embrace the initiative, noting that research outcomes will benefit the girl child and society.
Provost, College of Medical Sciences, Prof. Ngim Ngim, represented by his deputy Prof. Sunday Bisong, lauded Dr. Nja’s efforts, stressing that ongoing staff training and awareness are crucial to combat r**e, sexual harassment, and GBV on campuses.
He added that every staff member is an agent of change.
Prof. Roseline Duke, Executive Director of the Centre for Gender Development and project resource person, commended Dr. Nja and urged staff and students to use the GBV reporting app.
She stressed that universities shape social norms and perpetrators must be held accountable, a central goal of the intervention.
Director of Health Services, UNICAL, Dr. Kaiser Etta, praised Dr. Nja for giving survivors and vulnerable students courage to speak up, noting GBV trauma is often devastating.
Keynote Speaker Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo called for mainstreaming gender considerations in universities beyond digital platforms, stressing that sexual harassment is systemic, not isolated.
She lauded Dr. Nja’s study that led to the research-driven platform.
Speaking on _“From silence to action, harnessing digital innovation to end sexual harassment and school-related gender-based violence,”_ she said the focus must be moving from silence to action using digital tools to strengthen reporting, accountability, and survivor support.
Amb. Toyo noted that while UNICAL’s Gender Policy and Centre for Gender Development have positive linkages, digital infrastructure for the platform must be fully embedded in policy and practice.
She said digital solutions are not one-size-fits-all, ranging from simple tools to integrated systems for reporting, support, and monitoring.
She urged the Centre to show stronger commitment to digitalization, improved reporting, survivor support, academic discourse, and community engagement on school-related GBV.
Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, Archbishop Prof. Margaret Ene-Ita, in her goodwill message, commended Dr. Nja for the timely initiative.
She said GBV in schools is a developmental challenge disrupting education, confidence, and futures.
She pledged the Ministry’s commitment to safeguard vulnerable groups, promote safe, inclusive learning environments, and partner with institutions, CSOs, and development partners so no victim is unheard.
Cross River State Commissioner of Police, CP Rashid B. Afegbua, represented by ASP Edim Obazi, commended Dr. Nja for enhancing GBV reporting to aid arrests.
She noted reporting has been a major Police challenge, but “Tokam” makes action easier.
The CP congratulated Dr. Nja for fighting GBV and giving survivors a voice.
The event featured presentations by consultant psychiatrists, a professor of sociology, legal practitioners, an ART nurse consultant, policymakers, gender advocates, and a drama piece by the UNICAL Chapel of Redemption Theatre.
