Tackling sexual assault in Nigerian institutions

 

Sexual assault affects people across various demographics. Despite legal frameworks and awareness campaigns, the country continues to grapple with high rates of sexual assault, underreporting, and cultural stigmas that inhibit justice and healing for victims.

Recently, the issue of sexual assault gained attention on X space with the hashtag “#EndSACultureInCMUL,” involving allegations of medical students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) sexually assaulting their female colleagues.

An X user @Theariaspeaks had posted a thread drawing attention to the widespread issue of sexual assault at UNILAG, sharing anonymous accounts from victims and criticized the university’s inability to hold perpetrators accountable.

This is not the first time the university has faced such a scandal. In 2023, Dr Kadiri Akeem Bablola, a lecturer at the university, was detained after being accused of raping a 20-year-old female undergraduate student in his office.

In another recent case, Ambassador Ibrahim Adamu Lamuwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was accused of sexual harassment by Simisola Fajemirokun Ajayi, a married staff member of the ministry.

Sexual harassment and assault are prevalent in Nigerian schools – from primary to tertiary institutions. Reports indicate that students and teachers are perpetrator and victim alike. Female students are particularly vulnerable, often facing harassment by male teachers as well as fellow students.

Workplace sexual harassment is also common in the country, affecting both public and private sectors. Women are more frequently targeted, but men have also been victims. Incidents range from verbal harassment and unwanted touching to more severe forms of sexual violence. Power dynamics often play a role, with superiors abusing their higher position over subordinates.

Experts say victims suffer from psychological trauma, depression, anxiety, and a diminished sense of self-worth. for students, their academic performance can decline due to stress and fear. The reputation of educational institutions is also tarnished, impacting their credibility and the trust reposed in them by students and parents.

The true scale of sexual assault in Nigeria remains difficult to gauge due to underreporting. Victims often fear retribution, social stigma, and victim-blaming. In many communities, discussing sexual violence is taboo, leading many victims to suffer in silence.

According to a report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), one in four Nigerian girls has experienced sexual violence before the age of 18, illustrating the severity of the issue.

Numerous NGOs and advocacy groups in Nigeria are tirelessly addressing sexual violence by providing essential support services, such as counseling and legal assistance to survivors. They also carry out public education campaigns to raise awareness and challenge harmful cultural norms.

Also, social media has become a powerful advocacy tool, with campaigns providing platforms for survivors to share their stories and demand justice.

Notable cases

These incidents often involve students, staff, and sometimes even faculty members. Many cases go unreported due to fear of stigmatization, lack of trust in the authorities, and the potential for retaliation against victims.

A significant investigation by BBC Africa in 2019, titled “Sex for Grades”,” exposed a troubling culture of sexual harassment by university lecturers in Nigeria and Ghana. The undercover investigation revealed how some lecturers demanded sexual favors in exchange for better grades or admission into the university.

The revelations sparked an outrage, leading to calls for stricter measures to protect students and hold perpetrators accountable. Despite this, incidents of sexual harassment continue to occur, highlighting a persistent problem within the educational system.

In 2023, the University of Calabar (UNICAL) suspended Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, following allegations of violating the institution’s established laws and policies.

Similarly, another lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Mfonobong Udoudom, was suspended after being caught in a video allegedly harassing a female student in his office.

Legal Framework and Judicial Challenges

Nigeria has enacted several laws aimed at combating sexual violence. The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) of 2015 is one such law, which criminalizes various forms of violence, including sexual assault. Despite this legislation, enforcement remains inconsistent. Many victims do not trust the legal system to deliver justice, partly due to corruption, lengthy judicial processes, and the lack of sensitivity training for law enforcement officers.

In 2016, Ovie Omo-Agege, then a Nigerian senator, introduced a bill to prevent sexual harassment in tertiary institutions. Although debates were not concluded by the end of the 8th National Assembly in 2019, Senator Omo-Agege reintroduced the bill with support from all but three of the 109 senators in the 9th Assembly.

Titled “A Bill for an Act to Prevent, Prohibit and Redress Sexual Harassment of Students in Tertiary Educational Institutions and for Matters Concerned therewith, 2019”, it proposes up to 14 years in prison for offenders and aims to protect students from sexual harassment by educators.

Despite opposition from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which viewed the bill as stigmatizing lecturers, both houses of the National Assembly passed it in June, 2020, and sent it to the president for assent. However, the president failed to sign the bill into law.

Efforts by Government

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has taken a stance against sexual harassment in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. She has expressed a willingness to work closely with student unions to combat the pervasive problem.

Additionally, the ministry has introduced mobile courts and new guidelines for hotels, schools, and other institutions to ensure swift justice in cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

Echoing those sentiments, the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, promised that sexual offenses units would be established in the Ministry and all institutions of higher learning. Professor Mamman warned that perpetrators of such acts within the academic community would be dealt with decisively.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye during a media briefing in 2023 with representatives of student union bodies on ending sexual harassments in Nigeria tertiary institutions

Call to Action

The recurring cases of sexual harassment emphasize the importance of a safe and supportive environment for students. Institutions must act decisively to protect students and hold perpetrators accountable.

Robust support systems for victims, including counseling, legal assistance, and protection from retaliation, are crucial. Universities should establish dedicated offices to handle these cases with sensitivity and confidentiality.

Collaboration with law enforcement is vital for proper investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases, ensuring justice for victims and deterring offenders.

It is crucial for President Bola Tinubu to assent to the Sexual Harassment Prohibition in Tertiary Education Institutions Bill that is currently before him.

Similarly, ending sexual harassment in the workplace requires collective commitment that fosters respectful environments. Employers should take proactive measures, supported by strong legal frameworks, to promote gender equality by implementing comprehensive policies, promoting accountability, and empowering employees.

Also, the National Orientation Agency should intensify efforts to raise awareness about the harmful effects and consequences of all forms of sexual harassment and assault.

Writing by Hadiza Abdulrahman