In a significant move to tackle sexual harassment in Nigerian universities and colleges, the House of Representatives approved a landmark bill, ““A Bill for an Act to prevent, prohibit and redress sexual harassment of students in tertiary educational institutions and related matters connected therewith” on Wednesday aimed at preventing and addressing student harassment.
The bill proposed severe consequences for sexual harassment, imposing 14-year prison terms on convicted offenders and holding institution heads accountable with five-year prison terms or five-million-naira fines for inaction.
Briefing Newsmen in Abuja on the purpose of the the bill, 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 and trust and respect for human dignity in tertiary educational institutions.”
He also noted that the bill aims to “provide 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.”
According to the bill, an educator commits sexual harassment if they initiate unwanted physical contact or verbal behavior of a sexual nature with a student/prospective student, or demand such behavior, irrespective of consent.
“Directs, facilitates, assists, or encourages another person to engage in any act of sexual harassment as defined under this ill,”.it added
“Displays send or distribute any form of sexually explicit or suggestive material, including images, videos, or objects, to a student through any medium”.
“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.”
In Accordance with the bill, “Any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in clause 4 (1), (2) and (3) of this is guilty of an offence of felony and shall, on conviction, be sentenced to an imprisonment term of up to 14 years but not less than five years, without an option of a fine.”
The bill also provides that “An administrative head of an institution who fails to comply with the provisions of sub-clauses (1) and (2) of this clause of this bill is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a minimum fine of N5m or imprisonment for 5 years, or both.”
In the same veil, “Any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in clause 4 (4), (5) and (6) of this bill is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to an imprisonment term of up to 5 years but not less than 2 years, without an option of a fine.”
Eniola Jolaoso