A one day Residential Consultation with Media Editors in Nigeria has ended in Abuja with a call on government at all levels,management of tertiary institutions,the judiciary,security agencies and other stakeholders in the education sector to synergize in the fight against sexual harassment in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
The theme of the Consultation put together by Alliances For Africa AFA is ‘Addressing Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions’.
The Executive Director of the Non Governmental Organisation, Alliances For Africa AFA Mrs Iheoma Obibi said the gathering was to xray the monster called female sexual harassment in Tertiary Institutions and ways to stamp it out of the society.
Mrs Obibi said statistically,75 percent of Female Students in higher institutions have been sexually assaulted.
She said decently and indecently dressed female students have been abused hence the need to fashion out ways to punish perpetrators as a deterrent to others.
Mrs Obibi advocated for an encompassing legislation and enforcement to make the schools safe haven for female students.
The Director of Programme,Alliances For Africa, Blessing Duru said the NGO was executing a 3-year pilot scheme on the prevention of sexual harassment in 12 selected universities drawn from the 6 geopolitical zones of the country.
She affirmed that there was urgent need to change the narrative as the school environment has become a hostile ground for female students.
For his part,the Pro- Chancellor,Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Anambra State Prof Chidi Odinkalu said sexual harassment was taking alarming proportion in citadel of learning.
Prof Odinkalu who attributed the challenge to systemic failure and institutional integrity added that foundational education,inclusive system and strict enforcement will reverse the ugly trend.
Speaking on the role of the media in handling the menace,the Deputy Director of News in Arise TV, Mr Tobi Soniyi said a state of emergency should be declared on Sexual harassment.
He called on journalists to be professional in handling issues of sexual assault and also follow up to ensure that justice was served on perpetrators.
Some participants including Sumner Sambo,Musikilu Mojeed,Prof Talatu Mohammed,Kobi Ikpo and Ejime Udueme who spoke at the event said there was need for all to work as a team in rescuing female students from the firm grip of sexual abuse.
There was also group presentation on ways to address the challenge.