The Taraba State government has adopted a mobile anti-sexual harassment policy developed in collaboration with the Gender Mobile Initiative and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to the state commissioner for education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, the policy aims to create safer academic environments, promote respect and accountability, and safeguard individuals’ rights and dignity.
Earlier in July 2024, during an event hosted in Abuja, the commissioner represented Taraba State at a high-level convention forum where the policy framework was discussed.
She said he policy has been approved by ICPC and sent to the National Assembly for reconsideration in 2024/2025.
She noted that the Campus Safety Initiative is a continuous programme that was birthed at an Abuja event where retired vice chancellors and other stakeholders brainstormed on how to improve response and accountability measures for incidents of sexual harassment on Nigerian higher education campuses.
“Through this initiative, efforts are being made to promote a culture of proactive bystander intervention, where individuals are encouraged to intervene in potential situations of harassment and report cases using technology-driven reporting systems,” she added.
She said fostering collaboration and raising awareness, students and staff are empowered to pursue their education without the fear of harassment, creating a safer learning environment for everyone.
“The Gender Mobile Initiative facilitated an interactive session with academic and non-academic staff, students, and stakeholders to address issues,” she stated.
She further emphasised the policy’s significance, citing the grievous impact of sexual harassment on students, lecturers and the entire tertiary institutions.
