Gender Mobile demands presidential assent to sexual harassment bill

A Non-Governmental Organisation,  Gender Mobile Initiative has demand the presidential assent to the Sexual Harassment Prohibition in Tertiary Education Institutions Bill.

Wumi Ogunrotimi, the founder and executive director of Gender Mobile made the demands while addressing the press at Destination Hotel, Abuja on Monday.

Ogunrotimi, who is a leading advocate for gender equality and women’s rights, expressed her concern over the delay in the signing of the bill, which aims to criminalize sexual harassment in higher education institutions.

She said, “Today, we bring forth a call for urgency, accountability and transformative change in the face of pervasive sexual harassment and abuse of office on our campuses.” She said that “the very institutions meant to foster education and personal growth have become breeding grounds for abuse, particularly affecting the lives of female students.”

She cited the alarming statistics from a 2018 survey by the World Bank Group’s Women, Business, and Law which reveal that 70% of female graduates from Nigerian tertiary institutions have been subjected to sexual harassment.

Ogunrotimi also referred to the recent student protest and the outcry against the Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, whose history is marred by allegations of sexual harassment and rape, as examples of “the urgency and gravity of the issue.”

Ogunrotimi commended the Federal Ministry of Education’s endorsement of a model sexual harassment prohibition policy co-designed and validated by the Independent Corrupt Practices, Gender Mobile Initiative, and higher education institutions.

She said that “these collective efforts demonstrate significant potential for transformative change.”

She added, “The Sexual Harassment Prohibition in Tertiary Education Institutions Bill presents a promising solution. This comprehensive legislation is crafted to address the nuances of sexual harassment, providing a clear definition of offenses, establishing stringent penalties for perpetrators, and outlining mechanisms for the prevention and redress of sexual harassment.

“Regrettably, despite the urgency of the matter, the Bill has lingered on the desk of the Nigerian President awaiting the seal of approval. This delay is disheartening and raises concerns about the commitment to eradicating sexual harassment within our educational institutions. The need for statutory backing is not just a formality; it is a fundamental requirement to ensure that the provisions of the Bill are legally.”

Ogunrotimi urged the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to sign the bill into law without further delay, as “the President’s action, or lack thereof, will send a powerful message about the nation’s values and its dedication to fostering an environment where every student particularly female students can thrive.”

She also appealed to the President to recognize the link between the Student Loan Bill, which he recently signed into law, and the Sexual Harassment Prohibition in Tertiary Education Institutions Bill, as both are aimed at empowering students in their pursuit of education. She argued that “the Student Loan Bill, in its essence, is a tool to empower students in their pursuit of education. However, the impact of this empowerment is diminished if the educational journey is marred by the trauma of sexual harassment.” She said that “the success of the Student Loan Bill is intrinsically tied to the broader initiative to eradicate sexual harassment in tertiary institutions.”