Abia State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Uche Eme-Uche, has tasked heads of tertiary institutions in the state to adopt proactive measures to check sexual harassment in their schools.
Eme-Uche stated this in a chat with LEADERSHIP after attending a one-day stakeholders’ engagement meeting with the heads of the institutions in Umuahia, the state capital, expressing sadness over the act.
She said, “The rate at which sexual harassment is happening in higher institutions in the country calls for collaborative efforts and support by the governments and relevant bodies to curtail it.
“It is a serious societal factor and systemic challenge affecting the minor, middle-aged, and the aged. So, they should prioritize the safety and rights of their students.”
She advised parents and guardians to inculcate good morals and discipline, as well as monitor the type of company their children and wards keep, to ensure they don’t fall victim.
One of the major highpoints of the meeting was a lecture delivered by Emmanuel Olatunde, the Learning, Measurement, and Evaluation Officer of Gender Mobile Initiative.
The lecture, entitled “Model and Sexual Harassment Policy,” called for a collaboration between the organization, stakeholders, and the governments to check the act.
Responding, a representative of British University, Ukwa East Local Government Area, Ifeyinwa Obi, and the Rev. Father Jerome Onwughalu described the meeting as a welcome development.
