The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has called on President Bola Tinubu to grant presidential assent to the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions Prohibition Bill 2019.
The plea comes in the wake of CJID’s research exposing the distressing prevalence of gender-based violence against female undergraduates.
CJID’s cross-sectional survey, conducted across six geopolitical zones, highlighted alarming statistics, indicating that 34.2 per cent of respondents identify sexual violence as the most prevalent.
Notably, the recent suspension of a University of Calabar dean over sexual harassment accusations adds urgency to addressing the systemic issue of GBV within tertiary education.
The survey also uncovered that 37.3 per cent of perpetrators are fellow students, with academic staff comprising 26.7 per cent.
CJID commends the National Assembly for passing the bill and now implores President Tinubu to expedite the process, stating that the bill, if enacted, will establish robust mechanisms to prevent, prohibit, and redress sexual harassment cases in tertiary institutions.
CJID sated the critical role of the proposed bill, as Section 15 (2) outlines an Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee to investigate and determine complaints, while Section 17 (5) proposes dismissal or rank reduction for perpetrators when supported by evidence.
The organization believes the bill will uphold ethical standards and the sanctity of the student-educator relationship.
