By Prisca Nguzo
Media practitioners in Nigeria have pledged to intensify effort towards addressing the prevalent cases of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions of the country through effective reporting and awareness creation.
The pledge is contained in a communique issued at end of a one-day Residential Consultation with Media Editors organized by an African feminist non-governmental organisation, Alliances for Africa, AfA held in Abuja, on Monday.
Barr. Tobi Soniyi, Deputy News Director, Arise Television, Prof. Talatu Razinat Mohammed of the University of Abuja, Hussaina Mohammed Yakubu of the News Agency of Nigeria, Khadijah Aliyu of the Radio Nigeria (FRCN), Musikilu Mojeed of the Premium Times Newspaper among others stressed that among other challenges, national and sub-national policies that address sexual harassment are selectively applied or implemented.
They expressed concern that a number of media houses often lack adequate resources to investigate the menace; adding that sexual abuse does not only impact survivors, it also affects tertiary institutions, their staff and the society at large.
The media chiefs suggested that to end the menace, there is need to continuously organize, support and train journalists on how to uncover, document, report and follow-up on sexual harassment in tertiary institutions.
They also on all stakeholders, including media houses, administrators of tertiary institutions, faculty staff, students, government agencies, regulatory agencies, civil society organizations, religious and traditional institutions to collectively join in the effort to eradicate sexual harassment cases from Nigerian tertiary institutions.
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Soniyi, Aliyu and others equally urged government agencies and other relevant bodies to provide the necessary support and resources to ensure the successful implementation of resolutions and ideas on ending sexual harassment.
Earlier in her speech, AfA Executive Director, Ms. Iheoma Obibi disclosed that over 60 percent of female students in Nigeria tertiary institutions suffer psychological trauma as a result of being sexually harassed, while some who could not endure the trauma resort to committing suicide.
She urged media practitioners to use their various platforms to deepen the call for the implementation of stringent measures; bills, policies and laws that would protect students against sexual harassment and guarantee conducive learning environment for them.
Other media chiefs at the meeting were Hamza Idris of the Daily Trust Newspaper, Yusuf Ali of the Nation Newspapers, Juliana Taiwo- Obalonye of the Sun Newspaper, Raliat Ahmed of the leadership newspaper, Hussiena Akila of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and Kemi Yesufu of the Frontline News Online.
Others were Blessing Ibunge of the THISDAY Newspaper, Hashia Ibrahim of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, Lafia (NBS), Ejime Udueme of the Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba, Ikenna Obianeri of The Punch, Sophia Ucheoma Afolabi of the Darling FM, Owerri, Eyitope Kuteyi of the Channels Television, Ajibola Jadesola Olufunke of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, (BCOS), Kobi Ikpo of the Teen Africa among others.
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