The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), is set to reverse the high rate of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions and restore dignity to women folks.
Lagos State Commissioner for WAPA, Mrs. Bolaji Dada, made the disclosure at a forum with the theme: “Domestication of Sexual Harassment Policy Using Gender Lenses in Tertiary Educational Institutions”, held at Alausa, Ikeja, and aimed at exploring avenues to curbing sexual harassment in tertiary Institutions across the State.
Mrs. Dada noted that the State Government intends to ensure that women, who are major victims of sexual harassment, are protected and supported in maximising their potential.
Her words: “The Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as a matter of duty, protects, supports and empowers all women within Lagos State, to achieve their full potentials socially, physically, economically and politically”.
The Commissioner envisaged that the introduction of an anti–harassment policy in Lagos State will address and prevent an antagonistic situation that violates the dignity of everyone, particularly female students and employees, in workplaces.
Mrs. Dada said: “The State Government has taken the lead through various legal and policy frameworks to support the right of the girl-child with the Child Rights’ Law of 2015 and the Domestic Violence Law of 2007 as well as the Yellow Cards for prevention of all forms of Child Abuse”.
“The State Government, through WAPA, had organised a series of seminars, workshops and campaigns against all forms of violence and abuses as part of efforts to raise the consciousness and awareness among students and members of the society”, she added.
The Commissioner thanked the UNPF for always collaborating with the State Government on different programmes geared towards curbing gender-based violence, saying “We look forward to working with you on more of these programmes in the future”.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Adeniran Kasali, decried the high rate of reported incidences of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions across the country, advising that all hands must be on deck to eliminate the culture of harassment for the benefit of all.
Kasali, who was represented by Mr. Yakub Abdul-Fatai, an Assistant Director in the office, appreciated WAPA and UNPF for their efforts, expressing the belief that the partnership would bring about better social order and curb sexual harassment in Lagos State.
The Gender Reproductive Health Analyst of UNPF, Dr. Esther Somefun, said the partnership with WAPA aligns with the mandate of the Agency, specifically the aspect of the mandate emphasising the need to end gender-based violence.
She promised that the organisation will work closely with WAPA to tackle the menace that has now become prevalent among students and lecturers of tertiary institutions across the country.
Expressing the determination of UNPF to guarantee a culture of safety where everyone feels protected to learn and impart knowledge under an atmosphere devoid of fear of sexual harassment, the Gender Reproductive Health Analyst said that the desired changes in society, especially in tertiary institutions, are achievable with the support of all relevant stakeholders.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, was represented at the event by the Executive Secretary of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi.
