Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde’s government in Oyo State has expressed its readiness to partner with the Gender Mobile Initiative to reduce cases of sexual harassment and other vices in state-owned tertiary institutions through technology.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abdulwaheed Adelabu disclosed this on Thursday at A One—Day Stakeholders’ Meeting with Education Commissioner on Dissemination, Adaptation, and Implementation of Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy in Tertiary Institutions in Oyo State, held at the Polytechnic, Ibadan.
Speaking further at the meeting organized by the Education Ministry and Gender Mobile Initiative, Prof. Adelabu , said the Ministry together with the organization would design a framework that will complement the existing policies of each public tertiary institution in respect to sexual harassment.
He added that the introduction of technology would assist greatly in tracking perpetrators of sexual harassment in the Institutions and activities of individuals on campuses.
The commissioner opined that lecturers are expected to see their students as biological children and treat them in such a manner.
He submitted that sometimes students deliberately harass their lecturers sexually through various means, calling on both to desist from the act.
Prof. Adelabu revealed that the Governor Seyi Makinde administration would support the organization that is ready to work with government in achieving its goals and objectives.
He noted that the government will not spare anyone caught engaging in sexual harassment and other vices but deal with them accordingly.
The convener, Barrister Omowumi Ogunrotimi, said the organization sees the need to sensitize and educate the people about what constitutes sexual harassment and ways of preventing the menace, particularly among students of tertiary Institutions.
She hinted that about 70% of undergraduates experienced sexual harassment, adding that the Gender Mobile Applications provides a clear reporting channel for victims of sexual harassment to reach the leaderships of concerned Institutions.
She harped on the need for the leadership of tertiary Institutions to integrate sexual harassment preventive mechanisms into their framework and also leverage on technology.
While appreciating the Oyo state government for the unalloyed support, Ogunrotimi said work would commence with the heads of tertiary Institutions in the state using the model policy on sexual harassment prevention approved by the federal ministry of education.
Commending the leadership of Education ministry and the convener of the programme , member, Oyo state house of assembly, Hon. Bisi Oluranti Michael, advised the students to stay away from indecent dressing, particularly the female students, saying this would prevent them from becoming victims of sexual harassment or rape.
Packaged by Oludotun Ajibola
