Bill against Sexual Harassment in Varsities Passes 2nd Reading in Senate
A bill prohibiting sexual harassment of students by lecturers in tertiary institutions has scaled second reading at the Nigerian senate after it received the endorsement of many lawmakers on Tuesday.
Leading the debate on the bill, Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central) argued that sexual harassment was rife in many higher institutions of learning in Nigeria, hence the need for a law outlawing the vice.
Also speaking, Chief Theodore Orji (Abia Central), expressed his support for the bill, saying it will curtail the evil in our higher institutions.
However, Dino Melaye (Kogi West), while making his contribution, said that sexual harassment was a two-way traffic as he argued that some students willfully seduce their lecturers with the aim of getting academic favours.
Making her contribution, Stella Oduah (Anambra North), called for a quick passage of the bill as she lamented that sexual harassment ruins the lives of the female gender.
Yahaya Aliyu (Kebbi north) in his our contribution called for a blanket law against sexual harassment, instead of one that is targeted at a section of society.
After listening to the arguments, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki put the bill to a voice vote to which lawmakers gave their approval.
Afterwards, the bill was referred to the committee on Judiciary for more legislative treatment and to submit its report within four weeks.
The bill must be read a third time before it is passed into law.
