Advocacy Group Applauds House Of Representatives For Passing Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill.
The Gender Mobile Initiative, a prominent social advocacy group, has praised the House of Representatives for passing the Anti-Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions Bill, marking a pivotal step toward ensuring safe learning environments across Nigeria. The bill, passed on Wednesday, aims to establish stricter accountability and ethical standards within tertiary institutions, protecting students from harassment by educators.
Omowumi Ogunrotimi, Executive Director of Gender Mobile, commended the House’s decision, stating that the bill’s enactment results from years of collaborative advocacy involving civil society organisations, educators, legal experts, and policymakers. “This bill is essential for promoting ethical standards in tertiary education and ensuring that complaints of sexual harassment are taken seriously, with offenders facing appropriate punishment,” Ogunrotimi noted.
The newly passed legislation introduces Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committees, which will oversee harassment complaints in tertiary institutions, providing students with defined protections and a fair redressal process. Ogunrotimi called on the Senate to recognise the importance of this legislation and expedite its passage to extend these protections nationwide.
The group also expressed gratitude to Hon. Akin Rotimi, who sponsored the bill, and acknowledged the efforts of all stakeholders involved. “Their dedication has laid a strong foundation for this legislative milestone,” Gender Mobile stated, affirming their commitment to ongoing advocacy and education to foster harassment-free learning environments.
Yeside Olasimbo, Special Assistant on Women’s Affairs to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, also celebrated the bill’s passage and praised Gender Mobile for its efforts. Reflecting on the achievement, she expressed hope for the bill’s future, noting, “I am confident this bill will receive presidential assent. This is a monumental win, and it fills me with gratitude and hope.”
The advocacy group and other supporters now look to the Senate to advance this critical bill, seeing it as essential to creating a culture of respect and safety across all Nigerian educational institutions.
