A coalition of civil society organizations led by the Centre for Awareness on Justice and Accountability (CAJA) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill into law.
The call came during a strategic meeting held with the Heads of Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, focusing on establishing Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committees.
Barrister Adenekan Shogunle, Deputy Director of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), supported the bill, citing its comprehensive provisions and potential to strengthen the ICPC’s efforts.
He emphasized the need for clear boundaries between educators and students, stressing that any romantic or coercive relationship should be prohibited.
Shogunle highlighted the legal basis for prosecuting cases of sexual harassment under the ICPC Act, emphasizing that abuse of office for personal gain, including demands for sexual favours, constitutes a serious offence.
Kabiru Dakota, Executive Director of CAJA, echoed the urgency of addressing sexual harassment in tertiary institutions, noting the prevalence of such incidents and the lack of robust legal frameworks to address them.
He emphasized the importance of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill in providing a legal framework to combat this menace effectively.
Dakota mentioned the formation of a sexual harassment advocacy cluster comprising civil society organizations from various states, which collaboratively work to address the issue.
The coalition urged President Tinubu to prioritize signing the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill into law, emphasizing its significance in safeguarding the rights and dignity of students in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
