Stakeholders laud House of Reps for passing anti sexual harassment bill

Some students’ unions and gender activists have commended the House of Representatives for passing the bill to prevent, prohibit, and redress sexual harassment of students in tertiary educational institutions and related matters connected therewith.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja, the stakeholders tasked the Senate to emulate the green chambers and pass the bill with the speed of light for a quick accent by the President.

In her remarks, the Founder of Gender Mobile, Ms. Omowunmi Okurotimi, commended the sponsor of the bill, Rep. Akin Rotimi (APC-Ekiti State), and the entire house for advancing the bill.

She said that the bill, when passed into law, will ensure learning environment are safe for all students.

According to her, policies are not enough; a framework of echo Al infrastructure is required to regulate social relations and ensure predators are not haboured in environment of learning.

“The journey is far from over. I urge the Nigerian Senate to act swiftly, just like the House of Representatives, so that we can get this bill to the President’s table.

“This is to leverage on the momentum that comes with the advocacy against gender and sexual-based violence, which commences on November 25,” she said.

Okurotimi called on other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to join in the advocacy for the passage of the bill.

The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mr. Lucky Emunife, said that the over 40 million Nigerian students are very happy with the development.

He commended the sponsor of the bill for the framework that would rescue the Nigerian students from sexual harassment.

Emunife said that the bill, when passed into law, will give confidence to students in tertiary institutions of learning that they are safe to learn without intimidation.

“As NANS president, I always hear of lecturers, none academic staff disturbing students, and some have even committed suicide, as we saw in Ebonyi State University.

“The bill will not only reduce harassment; it will serve as a deterrent to those with negative intentions towards students,” he said.

The President, Female Student Association of Nigeria, Ms. Choice Enebilo, commended the spirit and intention of the bill.

She said that the piece of legislation is a beacon of hope for the girls and women, especially in the learning environment.

The bill states that an educator shall be guilty of committing an offence or a felony of sexual harassment if he/she;

“Engages in any form of unwelcome physical contact or verbal conduct of a sexual nature with a student or prospective student, or demands such conduct, regardless of consent; or

“Creates a hostile, offensive, or intimidating environment for a student by making unsolicited or inappropriate sexual advances, or by requesting sexual favours; or

“Directs, facilitates, assists, or encourages another person to engage in any act of sexual harassment as defined under this Bill; or

“Displays, sends, or distributes any form of sexually explicit or suggestive material, including images, videos, or objects, to a student through any medium; or

“Makes verbal or non-verbal remarks, comments, or gestures of a sexual nature, or any remarks or conduct intended to degrade, humiliate, or body shame a student based on their physical appearance; or

“Engages in stalking, persistent following, or any form of unwanted attention directed at a student, which creates an atmosphere of fear or discomfort, when proven shall be guilty, and consent shall not constitute a defence to any offence under this Bill where a power imbalance exists between the educator and the student.

Supreme News reports that the bill, which was passed the third time, proposed 14 years imprisonment for those convicted of the offences and five years imprisonment or a N5 million fine for heads of institutions that refused to act on complaints of sexual harassment by students.

Supreme News reports that the sponsor and spokesperson for the House, Akin Rotimi, said, “It is enacted to promote and protect ethical standards in tertiary education, the sanctity of the student-educator fiduciary relationship of authority, dependency, trust and respect for human dignity in tertiary educational institutions.”

He said the bill aims at “Providing for the protection of students against sexual harassment by educators in tertiary educational institutions;

“Prevention of sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary educational institutions; and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary educational institutions.”

On what constitutes a sexual offence, the bill provides that “an educator shall be guilty of committing an offence or a felony of sexual harassment if he/she

Engages in any form of unwelcome physical contact or verbal conduct of a sexual nature with a student or prospective student, or demands such conduct, regardless of consent.