CSOs Urge President Tinubu To Sign Sexual Harassment Bill Into Law

A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) dedicated to combating sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions, known as the Anti-Sexual Harassment Advocacy Cluster, has called upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to promptly approve the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions (Prohibition) Bill, 2023.

The consortium emphasized that the enactment of the bill would foster confidence and enhance the overall well-being within tertiary educational institutions nationwide.

In a statement issued on Friday following a strategic meeting with heads of tertiary institutions in Abuja, the group revealed the objective of the gathering was to assess the efforts made by participants in addressing sexual harassment within their respective institutions and to seek collaborative support for the bill’s endorsement by President Tinubu.

Despite concerted efforts by institutions across the nation, the coalition highlighted the persistently high incidence of sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions. It attributed this to various factors, including the lack of a comprehensive law specifically targeting sexual harassment, professional bias marked by prejudiced support for one’s own group, and the fear of reprisals after reporting incidents.

During the meeting, heads of tertiary institutions and other relevant stakeholders reiterated their commitment to establishing Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committees within their institutions. Additionally, they pledged support for the creation of Campaign Against Sexual Harassment (CASH) clubs within their campuses.

Key institutions present at the meeting included Federal College of Education (Tech), Akoka; Federal Cooperative College, Kaduna; Federal College of Agric. Prod Tech, Kano; Federal Polytechnic Kabo, Kano State; Federal College of Education (Tech) Gombe; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Lagos, Akoka; and Akwa Ibom State University.

Also in attendance were Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osuro; Centre for Gender Studies, Veritas University; Federal Polytechnic Ukana, Akwa Ibom State; and Gombe State University.