A’Ibom Govt urged support call for FG to assent to Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill

By Victor Essang

Akwa Ibom Government has been called upon to lend its voice to the request of stakeholders of Sexual Gender-based Violence (SGBV) to President Bola Tinubu to give assent to the Anti-Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational lnstitution Bill (2023)

The call was made In Uyo when the Anti-Sexual Harrasment Advocacy Cluster of Connected Development (CODE) organized a stakeholders dialogue forum on Curbing Gender-Based Violence.

The Akwa Ibom state Lead of CODE, Mr Ubong Ekpe said the call became necessary “as it will promote a healthy educational environment needed for learning”

Ekpe also called on the management of all tertiary institutions to approve and support the establishment of Campaign Against Sexual Harassment ( CASH) Clubs in their respective schools, which he said will provide students with an opportunity to voice any experiences of sexual harassment.

He stressed the need for all stakeholders to unite and invest in Policy and Legal framework that will discourage SGBV with stiff punishment.

According to him, “Investment in policies and legal frameworks are cardinal to prevent SGBV especially in educational institutions”

The Keynote Speaker and Chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Iquo Abia, a lawyer stressed the need for the implementation of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.

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Abia, who gave highlights on the effects of SGBV, proffered preventive measures and remedies to the ugly trend.

Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi, while condemning SGBV call for all hands to be on deck to curb the crime in the society.

Durosinmi, who was represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sule Musa, suggested a death penalty for anyone found guilty of molesting minors to serve as deterrent to others.

Other stakeholders who spoke at the dialogue included representatives from the university, NAPTIP, judiciary, police, Akwa Ibom State government, and student unions.

They made case the formulation of sexual harassment policies to academic institutions and organizations in the state to checkmate sexual abuse.