By Prisca Nguzo
Committee of Gender Directors in Nigerian Universities (CGDNU) have urged management of tertiary institutions to adopt and strictly enforce zero-tolerance policies against sexual harassment with severe penalties for violators.
This was as the group disclosed that from the recent Campus Climate Baseline survey it conducted across 12 universities in the country, 63 percent of the 358 respondents admitted to have been sexually harassed by both academic and non-academic staff of their respective institutions.
The committee also called on state government to domesticated the sexual harassment in tertiary institution Prohibition Bill when it is passed into law and to facilitate the establishment of an independent and transparent bodies to investigate and prosecute cases of sexual as an accountability mechanism.
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They further tasked universities to provide support systems for survivors such as accessible counselling, medical and legal aid services and to undertake institutional reforms in their respective institutions.
Speaking on behalf of the committee in a press conference, held in Abuja on Sunday and availed to The Guardian. Iheoma Obibi, Executive Director, Alliances For Africa, AfA, said, "sadly, these findings confirm that sexual harassment persists not as isolated incidents but as a systematic failure across Nigeria's tertiary institutions."
She said, "it is further resolved that the time for excuses and inactions is over. We call on the Federal Government to demonstrate leadership by prioritizing the passage of the Sexual Harassment Bill and for university administrators to protect students by creating sexual harassment-free campuses.
"Civil Society Organizations to amplify survivors' voices and demand systemic reforms, while, parents, students and the Nigerian public to hold institutions accountable for creating safe and dignified learning environments.
"We recognize the fact that every day of delay allows predators to thrive and students to suffer, we therefore declare that the time to act is now. No excuse for sexual harassment. No justification for inaction. We demand systemic change."
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Also, Prof. Ifuoma Awhefeada, Director, CGDNU and Director, Gender and Development Studies, Delta State University, Abraka; Prof. Ifeyinwa Achike, leader, Gender Research Group and Director, Gender Center, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN; among others insisted that sexual harassment is not only a violation of human rights but also a betrayal of the duty of care owed to students by their institutions.
They added that the menace, which according to them, "is eroding trust in our educational institutions,...must be addressed with urgency and determination."
Other committee members at the briefing, include Amb. Dr. Safiya Ahmed Nuhu, Director, Centre for Gender Studies, Bayero University, Kano; Prof. Irene Agunloye, Director, Centre for Gender and Women's Studies, University of Jos, Jos; Prof. Angela Nwamuo, Director, Centre for Gender Studies, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam; Ms. Blessing Duru, Programme Director, AfA among others.
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