Sarah Egbo
Sarah Egbo (Gender and Development 2018) is a gender and development expert with a strong passion for sexual and reproductive health and rights, quality education, as well as youth development.
Sarah's story
Sarah graduated with a Masters degree from Sussex in 2019 and went on to work in various roles in gender and development before commencing her role as the Policy Lead at the Gender Mobile Initiative in 2020. The organisation is a non-profit that leverages technology to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence. Her role involves coordinating projects that have a policy-centred approach, with a focus on the Campus Safety Initiative, a programme that supports over 102 higher education institutions in Nigeria to address school-related sexual and gender-based violence.
In 2024 she was recognised as a finalist in the Social Action Award category of the Study UK Alumni Awards in Nigeria for her contribution to creating safer educational spaces for women and girls in her home country.
Why did you choose to study at Sussex?
I learnt that Sussex was first in the world for Development Studies, which was impressive, but I wanted to know what Sussex was truly like beyond the ranking. I reached out to people who were already at Sussex and the feedback was very encouraging – they said Sussex was like home to them, regardless of their background.
Can you tell us a little bit more about what you do in your role at the Gender Mobile Initiative?
I support institutions in designing a policy they can adopt and adapt to tackle sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) more effectively.
I engage with the students and staff, specifically looking at how patterns of sexual and gender-based violence play out in these institutions. I also facilitate capacity-building sessions that promote understanding of what constitutes sexual and gender-based violence and how it can be addressed by leveraging policies, technologies such as the CampusPal app and collective action.
How did your time studying in the UK impact your work for the Gender Mobile Initiative?
I gained more knowledge and understanding about what SGBV is and how it operates in different spaces. As part of the course, I studied how gender-based violence plays out in an educational context, which led to me focusing my dissertation on providing a gender analysis of sexual violence in Nigerian universities. During my research, I saw this problem is not just tied to Nigeria – there is no country that is free from it.
I also engaged with people of many different diverse backgrounds, and that still impacts my work to date. It opened up my mind so that I don’t have a fixed mindset.
Can you tell us about the development of the CampusPal app?
Launched in 2021, its a mobile app that was developed by engaging with students and is designed for users to be able to confidentially report and address cases of SGBV in institutions of higher learning.
The app has evolved over time: students have been leveraging it as a tool to mobilise for change and have been engaging with one another across institutions, voicing their feelings about the current situation regarding SGBV and organising themselves to collectively address the problem.
What are some of your proudest moments?
I really am proud that I have contributed significantly to advancing gender equality and fighting against SGBV in Nigeria and Nigerian institutions. When I started supporting institutions to develop and implement anti-sexual-harassment and gender policies, it felt like a daunting task. SGBV is quite a sensitive topic, and getting people to open up was a real challenge.
However, through collaboration with my passionate colleagues, we have had over 102 institutions onboarded to the Campus Safety Initiative and co-developed a pioneering National Policy on Sexual Harassment Prohibition in Educational Institutions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission of Nigeria. Additionally, over 150,000 members of campus communities have been positively impacted through sexual violence prevention and response efforts.
Witnessing this change and the courage of people speaking up has been incredibly rewarding. It's something I wouldn't have thought possible when I first started, but it shows the power of collective action.
Take advantage of the fact that you are part of something huge and always will be, even after graduating from Sussex. Consider Sussex as a powerful network which you can always come back to.”
SARAH EGBO
Soundtrack to your time at Sussex?
I’m a big fan of Emeli Sandé. The song I played the most at Sussex was Read All About It, it’s a very powerful and motivating song.
Did you take part in any extra-curricular activities during your time at Sussex?
I formed a society with three other international students called the Sussex African Writers Society, for which I served as Secretary. It was an international society of students who were passionate about literary pieces dealing with development and social change.
We also organised sessions titled the ‘African Writers Development Cafe’ which spurred meaningful discussions between international development experts and students on the concept of development, embracing diverse perspectives.
What was the Chevening Scholarship application process like for you?
As part of the Chevening application process I had to write about experiences I have had that made me think of myself a leader. I discussed this with family, friends and mentors, and I got to know a lot more about myself in the process. It even boosted my confidence.
Do you have any top tips to those looking to apply?
See it as an opportunity to get to know yourself better. Many people feel like they’ve not done enough, but when you go back to really think about what you've done, you realise how many people you've impacted and how that has resulted in them having a better life.
What Chevening wants is to get to know the real you – that includes explaining what you’ve done but also demonstrating that you have a concrete plan for where you are going.
Favourite place on campus?
The Library was my favourite place, because it wasn't just about reading, it was also about meeting people.
What advice would you give to current Sussex students?
Take advantage of the fact that you are part of something huge and always will be, even after graduating from Sussex. Consider Sussex as a powerful network which you can always come back to.
Don’t just stick to your studies, live life as well. Go to Brighton beach, go to the Seven Sisters and tour as much of the UK as you can.
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