Authorities of tertiary institutions in Nigeria have been charged to take concrete steps to put an end to incessant harassment and intimidation of students in the academic environment.
A legal practitioner, Mrs. Toyin Ndidi Taiwo stated this at a workshop themed “sexual harassment and intimidation among staff and students of tertiary institutions” organized by the Kwara State Polytechnic’s chapter of the Women in Technical Education and Development, WITED, in conjunction with the Students Union Government.
She argued that sexual harassment and intimidation within institutions of higher learning required urgent implementation of robust measures to combat it effectively.
Mrs. Taiwo called for a stronger mechanism to prevent such incidents and provide support for victims.
Speaking from religious perspectives, the Senior Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on Community Development, Dr. Awwal Olalekan Olorungbebe, said people should obey religious injunctions and avoid fornication and adultery.
He advised those spreading the act to desist from it, adding that religion reserved punishment for such acts.
Olorungbebe also urged the Polytechnic authorities to ensure stiffer penalty for those caught in the act of sexual harassment and intimidation to serve as deterrent to others