Women’s Network Demands Justice for Sexual Harassment Victims

A group of women’s rights advocates has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assent to a bill that would prevent and punish sexual harassment in tertiary educational institutions.

The Women’s Network, which is led by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, also urged educational institutions to develop sexual harassment policies and create safe spaces for students to report abuse.

The group’s demands came in response to allegations that Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar, had sexually harassed female students.

Ndifon has denied the allegations, but the Women’s Network said that the accusations were credible and that they must be investigated thoroughly.

“We call on the authorities to ensure that justice is served for all the victims of sexual harassment at the University of Calabar,” said Ladi Bala, the president of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists.

We also urge the government to enact the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions Bill into law so that perpetrators of this heinous crime can be brought to justice.”

The Women’s Network said that sexual harassment is a serious problem in tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria. The group called on educational institutions to take steps to prevent sexual harassment and to create a safe environment for students.

“We urge the heads of our various educational institutions to create a safe space for girls to voice out against sexual harassment,” said Bala. “Such proactive measures will go a long way in creating a more just and equitable society for all.”

The Women’s Network’s demands come at a time when there is growing awareness of the problem of sexual harassment in Nigeria. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile cases of sexual harassment in the workplace and in educational institutions.

The Women’s Network’s call for action is a reminder that sexual harassment is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. The group’s demands are a step in the right direction, and they should be taken seriously by the government and by educational institutions.