Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman – Ibrahim has reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to combat sexual harassment in educational institutions.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim spoke at the National Summit on Addressing Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria organised by Alliances for Africa, (AfA) in collaboration with the Committee of Gender Directors in Nigeria, CGDN, held in Abuja on Monday.
The minister described sexual harassment within educational institutions as “a global menace and one of the most pervasive violations of human rights, particularly against women and girls, which effects transcend physical harm, leaving survivors with emotional, psychological, and socio-economic scars.”
She therefore called on universities in Nigeria to establish Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) to professionally address cases of sexual harassment.
She said: “The present administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Agenda is more than ever committed to zero-tolerance against gender-based violence (GBV) through several initiatives, including supporting the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015 and the June 2020 Declaration of a State of Emergency on GBV by the Nigeria Governors Forum.
“The Sexual Harassment Prohibition Bill passed by the 9th Senate in July 2020, specifically addressing misconduct in educational institutions, is another landmark achievement, which the Ministry will continue to advocate for. We will prioritize the establishment of survivor-centered services, including counseling, legal aid, and safe reporting channels, to ensure that victims of sexual harassment are supported and empowered.”
“Let me conclude by urging us all to break the culture of silence that allows sexual harassment to thrive. Let us speak up against victim blaming to reduce the trauma they have experienced. Let us hold perpetrators accountable and foster a culture of respect and equality. By addressing sexual harassment, we are protecting human rights, safeguarding education, and ensuring that our campuses fulfill their role as spaces for intellectual, personal growth and development”.
Be the first to comment