AUN President Tells VCs to Support Criminalising Sexual Harassment Bill

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AUN President Tells VCs to Support Criminalising Sexual Harassment Bill

By Correspondent

The President of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State, Margee Ensign, has made a special appeal to vice chancellors of Nigerian universities to support the bill prohibiting sexual harassment in tertiary institutions.She mentioned this the day the institution resumed activities, marking its 8th Commencement (2016 Class).Dr Ensign expressed her concern on the bill currently being considered at the National Assembly to check sexual harassment and abuses in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.Once passed into law, lawbreakers would be liable on conviction to a maximum of five-year jail term without an option of fine.Sponsored by Ovie Omo-Agege (Labour Party -Delta Central) and co-sponsored by 46 other senators, the proposed bill seeks to completely prohibit any form of sexual relationship between lecturers and students.While briefing some newsmen on the bill, Mr. Omo-Agege had said the nation’s institutions of higher learning must be sanitised to rid them of lecturers who see female students as prize; adding that any lecturer found guilty will be liable to a jail term of up to five years but not less than two years without an option of fine once the bill is passed into law.The AUN president reiterated that the proposed law was a step in the right direction, saying it would bring sanity to tertiary education in the country. She expressed the hope that it would address the growing cases of sexual abuse and harassment in the country’s universities.She shares, “I hope it (new law) focuses on sexual harassment. In my six years here as president, I have seen that there is a culture in some places where girls are considered as free game.“I have found situations where some male faculties feel they have the power to sexually harass and abuse female students in their classes. To me, that is completely unacceptable and I hope it is criminalised.”She argued that vice chancellors and heads of tertiary institutions in the country have enormous responsibility to make the learning environment conducive for students irrespective of gender.Dr. Ensign argued that it was criminal for faculty members to frighten students and cause them to believe they had to give something in return for grades.She, therefore, called on vice chancellors and heads of tertiary institutions in the country to come together and lobby the National Assembly to pass the bill into law.“I am glad this is finally happening in Nigeria and I can’t imagine anyone would be opposed to this legislation,” she added.Dr. Ensign however disclosed how AUN has tackled sexual abuse and harassment, “The university has developed a code of conduct right from inception for its faculty, students and staff.“AUN has always had a code of conduct for faculty from its beginning 12 years ago and it forbids any sexual contact or harassment of females whether they are students or security guards.“We have done training for our male and female students so that they really understand what sexual harassment means, what their rights are and what to do if they are confronted.“I tell our female students, if you have a concern and you are meeting with someone, turn your phone on and record your conversation.“I hate to admit it, but we have had that happen in the AUN, and as soon as the student presents the recording to me, the faculty member or the person involved gets a query and then a hearing and usually goes very quickly.”She drew practical examples from cultures that debase and dehumanise women, using Pakistan as a yardstick ”“ where women are made to go through what is called “honour killing.”“Pakistan is an example of how gruesome women are treated in a culture that encourages honor killing. A young girl was burnt to death. While that’s not happening in Nigeria, young girls are being married off at very young age and it ruins them forever physically and emotionally,” she disclosed.“I think it is a defining moment for Nigerians and I am proud of the many senators who co-sponsor the new legislation. I call on all vice chancellors to join us at the AUN and lobby for the passage of this bill”, Dr Ensign added.

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