NGO calls for presidential assent to Sexual Harassment of Students Bill

The Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has appealed to President Ahmed Tinubu to assent to the Sexual Harassment of Students in Tertiary Educational Institutions (Prohibition) Bill.

The Executive Director of (WRAHP), managers of Ireti Resources Centre, Lagos, Mrs Bose Ironsi, made the appeal in a statement on Monday.

Ironsi said that most of the female students in Nigerian higher institutions had been sexually harassed.

“According to the 2018 survey by the World Bank Group’s Women, Business and Law, 70 per cent of the female graduates from Nigerian tertiary institutions have been sexual harrassed in school.

“The bill seek to prevent students against sexual harassments, prevent sexual harassment of students by educators and promote ethical standards in tertiary institution in Nigeria.

“We are concerned about why this very important bill has not been assented to in spite of efforts and support by students, Civil Society Organisation, local and international partners and others,” she said.

According to her, in 2016, the bill was sponsored by Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege and 57 other senators.

“The 8th Assembly of the senate passed the bill, but it was rejected by the House of Representatives when it was sent for concurrence.

“Again, Sen. Agege and 106 other senators reintroduced the bill in 2019, it was passed in 2020 by both the Senate and House of Representatives but was not signed by President Buhari,” she said.

She urged the 10th Assembly lawmakers to make the bill a priority.

“As an organisation that visions a just society where the dignity of women, young people and communities is respected and they enjoy sound health and maximise their potential, we, therefore, appeal to the new legislators of the 10th Assembly to make this bill a priority.

“They should ensure it timely passage and transmission to President Ahmed Tinubu for assent.

“The passage of this bill will elicit the confidence of parents and guardians about the safety and protection of their young ones in higher institutions,” the WRAHP boss said.

According to her, WRAHP is an innovation, non-profit organisation that promotes the health and general development of women, young people, communities using the right-based approach. (NAN)