…says sexual harassment in schools and higher institutions is a gross violation of human dignity.
AWKA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times reports that the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba S’aid Ahmad has urged Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra state to lead the campaign against sexual harassment in tertiary institutions across the country.
Ahmad made the call during the maiden symposium tagged “UNIZIK declares war against Sexual Harassment/Assault, organized by the University’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Committee.
The Minister, represented by Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Prof Theresa Okoli submitted that sexual harassment in schools and higher institutions is a gross violation of human dignity.
She said,” It undermines academic integrity, destroys trust and erodes the confidence of students, particularly young women, who come to these institutions in search of knowledge and a better future.
“It is therefore heartening to see that UNIZIK is not merely issuing a statement of intent but is mobilizing leadership, stakeholders and institutional workers to name, confront and eliminate this scourge.
“However, let UNIZIK not stand alone but lead a national movement. Together, let us say no more.”
She further remarked that the symposium reflects the deep yearning across our educational institutions and indeed our nation for safe respectful and inclusive learning environments.
“Let us raise our voices – report what we see, protect the vulnerable and hold our systems accountable. No more to silence. No more to impunity. No more to harassment. No more to abuse.”
The Minister said the Federal Government is committed to mainstreaming gender-sensitive frameworks across the education sector in line with the Renewed Hope agenda.
“We are also working with institutions like the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the National University Commission, NUC, to ensure that sexual harassment policies are not only enacted but enforced.
“Let me also applaud the UNIZIK Gender Policy and urge other tertiary institutions to emulate this example by strengthening internal codes of conduct, supporting survivors and disciplining offenders decisively and transparently.
She urged academic leaders to use their positions to defend the weak and give voice to the unheard. “Your silence, if any, must end. Let us use our authority not to intimidate but to inspire to the award committee.
Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi, noted sadly that the scope of harassment is fast changing. “Traditionally, the stereotype of sexual harassment is that of a male harasser and a female victim.
“Today, the picture is disturbingly changing, with increasing cases of females harassing males, lesbian females harassing other females, and gay men harassing other men.
She recalled the constitution of a committee on sexual harassment in 2023 following increasing allegations of sexual harassment by male lecturers and students.
“The committee came up with a university Policy Document on Sexual Harassment. The document was considered and adopted by the management. Today, it is the working documents guiding the university in matters of sexual harassment and allegations of sexual harassment are expeditiously dealt with.
“The theme – UNIZIK declares war against sexual harassment should not suggest a resurgence of sexual harassment in the university, but rather a strengthening of our firm resolve to keep it up the university,” Acting VC clarified.
In a keynote speech, Commissioner for Education, in Anambra State, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, noted that sexual harassment is pervasive in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
“In Nigerian traditional institutions, both public and private, these violent violations occur too frequently, yet they are too infrequently addressed. Victims are often too silenced by fear, stigma, and threats to honour.
“Perpetrators are shielded by weak systems, lack of political will, and, of course, cultural normalization of ideas. This is a national emergency. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
“But how can education be inclusive when some students, especially women and girls, are made to feel obscene, objectified, and poisonous? We must integrate SDG4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education beyond the traditional confines of infrastructure and condominiums.
“At its core, this goal must encompass safe campuses, non-toxic learning environments, robust previous mechanisms, and empower students who do not only understand their rights, but are also equipped to claim them without fears.
Chairperson, Sexual Harassment/Assault Committee, Dr Nneka Umejiaku, said the symposium was packaged to break culture of silence and prevent sexual harassment in academic environment.
“The symposium is aimed at empowering students with requisite knowledge on their rights to conducive academic environment, and freedom from every from sexual harassment and assault.
“Sexual harassment promotes poor academic performance because victims often withdraw from classes, while others lose motivation in academic opportunities. Consequently, sexual harassment erodes campus safety and fosters hostile academic environment.
“In fact, sexual harassment can seriously derail careers through lost opportunities, reputational damage or emotional trauma.”
SUG President, Comrade Samuel Eze, pledged the readiness of the student body to collaborate with the commitment in its mandate. We encourage our students to take advantage of this committee to open up, to seek support and not to remain silent.
The event which featured awards of recognition to the Minister and other dignitaries, was spiced with talk shows, music rendition, drama, comical, and cultural dance.
