By Ejime Udueme….
Sexual harassment involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
It can occur in workplaces, educational institutions, and social environments.
Sexual Harassment include Quid Pro Quo which involves exchange of sexual favors, hostile Work Environment which takes the form of intimidation, Verbal Harassment which usually involves unwelcome sexual comments,
Non verbal Harassment, Physical Harassment, unwelcome touching or grabbing.
Sexual Harassment usually comes in form of Unwelcome touching or grabbing, Sexual comments or jokes, Displaying sexual images or videos, Requesting sexual favors,
Sending unwelcome sexual messages or emails,
Making unwelcome sexual advances,
Engaging in sexual gestures or stares.
The effects of Sexual Harassment Includes Emotional distress, Anxiety and depression,
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),
Decreased productivity and performance,
Strained relationships and Physical health problems.
This monster can be controlled through establishment of clear policies and procedures, training and education, Encourage reporting and support victims, Take prompt and effective action against perpetrators,shun stigmatisation of victims, Foster a culture of respect and inclusivity.
Sexual harassment is a significant concern in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Its prevalence has taken alarming proportion.
A 2019 survey by the Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund found that 70 percent of female students in Nigerian universities are experiencing sexual harassment.
Also, a 2020 report by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) noted that sexual harassment is rampant in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
This act is mainly perpectuated by Lecturers and academic staff, Fellow students and University administrators.
If not checked, it can cause Emotional trauma and psychological distress, Poor academic performance,Drop-out rates, Stigma and social exclusion.
It is gaining ground due to Lack of effective policies and reporting mechanisms,Culture of silence and victim-blaming, Limited support services for victims,Corruption and impunity.
To address this cankerworm, there is urgent need to Develop anti-sexual harassment policies, Establishment of reporting mechanisms and support services, Aggressive Sensitization campaigns and awareness programs, Collaborations between universities, government agencies, and civil society organizations.
Some specific cases of sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions were Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Sex-for-Marks Scandal in 2019 where a professor demanded for sex to award marks to a female student, University of Lagos (UNILAG) Sex Harassment Allegations in 2018, and in 2017 a professor in the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) was involved in Sex Scandal, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Bayero University Kano and many others in both public and private universities are not left out.
These cases highlight the need for Nigerian tertiary institutions to take decisive action to address sexual harassment and ensure a safe and respectful learning environment for all students.
It is not enough to sack those involved but there is need for them to serve jail terms and withdraw the academic qualifications of Professors involved so they do not go to other institutions to promote their wicked and barbaric acts.
The media can play a crucial role in the fight against sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions through Sensitization and Awareness via Reporting incidents, Feature stories and documentaries, Opinion pieces and editorials,
Investigative Journalism by Investigating allegations, Exposing cover-ups, Amplifying Voices and creating Platforms for survivors.
The time is ripe to implement Some enabling laws and policies aimed at curbing sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions:
The laws include Sexual Harassment Bill (2019),Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015), Child Rights Act (2003).
Some of the Education-Specific Laws that needed to be operationalised are the National Universities Commission (NUC) Guidelines on Sexual Harassment (2016),Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Policy on Sexual Harassment (2019) and institutional Policies.
In addition, some Reforms like Establishment of a National Sexual Harassment Commission to oversee and coordinate efforts to prevent and address sexual harassment,Mandatory Sexual Harassment Education and Strengthening of Institutional Policies and Procedures will help to address the alarming rate of sexual harassment in the nation’s academic citadels.
These laws, policies, and proposed reforms will create a safer and more respectful environment in Nigerian tertiary institutions for students to acquire knowledge.
All hands must be on deck, in stamping out the menace of sexual harassment from our institutions of learning, in order to protect the sanctity of our educational institutions and to ensure that female wards do not detest going to schools to acquire knowledge.
Ejime Udueme…..