Nigerian senate passes bill against sexual harassment

The bill against sexual harassment in tertiary institutions has been granted passage after its third reading by the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday.

The bill which was passed after third reading during plenary on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, was sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, and co-sponsored by 106 senators after a string of high-profile cases of sexual harassment of students by their lecturers.[SH]

It is 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.”

The red chamber passed the bill after considering the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

The bill, with 25 clauses, seeks to promote and protect ethical standards in tertiary institutions.

It also seeks to protect students against sexual harassment as well as prevent sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary institutions.

The bill also proposes up to 14 years jail term for offenders.