Kwara State Government on Monday organized a one-day seminar for heads of tertiary institutions and other relevant stakeholders in the state on the adoption of an anti-sexual harassment model to check cases of students being molested in schools.
Themed: “Addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment in Tertiary Institutions in Kwara State,” the programme was organised in partnership with a civil society group, Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI).
Participants included the Vice Chancellor Kwara State University ( KWASU) Malete Prof Sheikh Jamiu Lukman; Rector Kwara State Polytechnic Engr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammmed; registrars and proprietors of institutions; and students.
State Commissioner for Tertiary Education Dr Mary Arinde decried the frequency of sexual harassment in tertiary schools across the federation, saying the scourge threatens the safety, dignity and well-being of the students and staff.
‘No effort must be spared to halt it”, she added.
She said the programme was to sensitize and get the buy-in of institutional heads on how to integrate a campus safety initiative framework that will improve reportage of sexual harassment by victims.
“We have had cases of students reporting that their lecturers are harassing them sexually. Some lecturers have been dismissed. This has to stop. We have a Governor who is very passionate about education. He wants all students to graduate successfully without any harassment”, she told reporters on the sideline of the Conference.
The Commissioner warned lecturers and non academic staff of tertiary schools who engage in this act to abstain before being caught, asking all heads of the institutions to put stringent mechanisms in place to stop the molestation.
Dr Arinde explained that the Gender Mobile Initiative, in collaboration with Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), had initiated a bill which had passed through the second reading at the National Assembly, adding that the state is ready to domesticate it when passed into law.
“So, we want all the lecturers to abstain from this dirty habit. Students are put in their care to teach them, mentor them and make them become someone useful in the future. They should not harass them sexually, no sex for grade and students should not be harassed in any way,” she said.
“This meeting is going to help us to be able to speak to our students to speak out when they experience such ugly incident so that the perpetrators could face the full wrath of the law and it would serve as a deterrent for others. Heads of tertiary institutions should put in place stringent mechanism to stop the sexual harassment in our tertiary institutions.”
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Barrister Kikelomo Grillo, in her remarks, said through collaboration, open dialogue, and a shared commitment to change, the state can build safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environments across its higher institutions.
Dr Feyishola Kadiri, a Research and Policy Lead from Gender Mobile Initiative, said sexual harassment is a pervasive problem that requires urgent attention, a reason her NGO is pushing for a legislative framework at the National Assembly for effective fight against the scourge.
“It is about seeking partnerships of the Ministry and heads of tertiary institutions and providing support that will strengthen internal mechanisms against sexual harassment across the schools,” she said.
Participants, who spoke at the programme, shared their experiences and the steps they often take when cases of sexual harassment are reported to them or before the school authorities.
They also pledged continuous support for any policy the government puts in place to protect the students and sanitise the school environment.
