Taiwo Popoola
A social advocacy group, Gender Mobile Initiative, has said the recently passed Anti-Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions is a significant step toward ensuring safe and conducive learning environments across Nigeria.
The advocacy group noted that the recent success was the culmination of years of collaborative advocacy involving civil society organizations, educational leaders, legal experts, and policymakers.
Gender Mobile Executive Director, Omowumi Ogunrotimi, who, in a statement lauded the House of Representatives for passing the bill, said the bill was enacted to promote ethical standards in tertiary education and protect students against sexual harassment by educators in tertiary institutions.
She noted that the bill passed by the lawmakers on Wednesday will ensure that complaints of sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary educational institutions are redressed and offenders punished to the latter.
Ogunrotimi noted that the Sexual Harassment Bill mandated strict standards of accountability, defined clear protections for students, and established Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committees to address complaints promptly and fairly.
The advocacy group also tasked the Senate to recognise the urgency and importance of protecting students across tertiary institutions and act swiftly in passing this bill.
“These measures are essential in creating a culture of respect and safety across all educational institutions in Nigeria,” she explained.
“We extend our appreciation to Honorable Akin Rotimi, the sponsor of this bill, for his commitment toward the re-enlistment of this bill,” said Gender Mobile Executive Director Omowumi Ogunrotimi in a statement on Wednesday.
“This bill’s passage is a culmination of years of collaborative advocacy, involving civil society organisations, educational leaders, legal experts, and policymakers.
“We recognize and thank each of these stakeholders for their contributions and collective efforts. Their voices and resilience have laid the foundation for this legislative milestone,” the group said.
“At Gender Mobile Initiative, we are dedicated to ongoing advocacy, education, and support efforts that empower students to learn in an environment free from Sexual harassment.
“As we celebrate this progress, we call on the Senate to act swiftly in passing this bill, recognizing the urgency and importance of protecting students across tertiary institutions. We believe the Senate will rise to this occasion, making our schools safe for growth and learning.”
Meanwhile, the Special Assistant on Women Affairs to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Yeside Olasimbo, while celebrating the bill, hailed Gender Mobile for pushing for the passage of the Anti-Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions Bill.
“ This is a monumental win for all of us, but I want to remind everyone that our journey doesn’t end here. I have so much confidence that this bill will receive presidential assent because my president, our president, is a just man who believes in progress and equality.
“Today is especially meaningful for me because this is the first bill from the catalogue of bills that I have advocated for and supported since I took office that has successfully passed in the House of Representatives. It feels like a dream come true, and I am filled with gratitude and hope for what lies ahead,” she said in an Instagram post.
