Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Women’s Rights and Health Project(WRAHP) on Monday, urged President Bola Tinubu to sign the Sexual Harassment of Students in Tertiary Educational Institutions (Prohibition) Bill into law.
This is as the women’s rights group lamented the high rate of sexual harassment of women in the country’s tertiary institutions.
The group, in a statement, claimed that over 70 per cent of female graduates from tertiary institutions in the country have been victims of sexual harassment.
It said the bill would protect women in tertiary institutions from such harassment when passed.
The group said: “Today 5th June 2023, Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP), Managers of Ireti Resource Centre, Lagos appeals to the National Assembly and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assent to the Sexual Harassment of Students in Tertiary Educational Institutions (Prohibition) Bill.
“According to the 2018 survey by the World Bank Group’s Women, Business and Law, 70 per cent of female graduates from Nigerian tertiary institutions have been sexually harassed in school.
“The Sexual Harassment of Students in Tertiary Educational Institutions (Prohibition) bill seeks to protect students against sexual harassment, prevent sexual harassment of students by educators and promote ethical standards in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.”
The group said it was concerned about why such a very important bill had not been assented to in spite of efforts and supports by students, Civil Society Organisations, local and international partners.
It wondered why former President Muhammadu Buhari did not sign the bill into law.
“In 2016, the bill was sponsored by Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege and 57 other senators. The 8th Assembly of the Senate passed the bill, but it was rejected by the House of Representatives when it was sent for concurrence.
“Again, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege and 106 other senators reintroduced the bill in 2019. It was passed in 2020 by both the Senate and House of Representatives but was not signed by President Buhari.”
WRAHP urged the 10th National Assembly to ensure accelerated passage of the bill and transmission to President Tinubu for passage.
“As an organisation that visions a just society where the dignity of women, young people and communities is respected and they enjoy sound health and maximise their potentials, we therefore appeal to the new legislators of the 10th Assembly to make this bill a priority by ensuring its timely passage and transmission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
“The passage of this bill will elicit confidence of parents and guardians about the safety and protection of their young ones in higher institutions,” the rights group said.
Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) is an innovative, nongovernmental, nonprofit organisation that promotes the health and general development of women, young people and communities using the rights-based approach.
