An Overview of the Legal Framework on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions-The Need for Stiffer Penalties

Bolanle Oluwakemi Eniola; Foluke Olayemi Dada

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11

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An Overview of the Legal Framework on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions-The Need for Stiffer Penalties

Bolanle Oluwakemi Eniola, Foluke Olayemi Dada

Published in International Journal of Law and Society (Volume 6, Issue 3)

Received: 25 May 2023 Accepted: 14 June 2023 Published: 6 July 2023

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Abstract

Sexual harassment constitutes a form of gender- based violence that is prevalent globally and particularly in Nigeria. This form of violence inhibits the human rights of women and girls, recognized in international and regional instruments. Although, sexual harassment is not gender specific, however, going by the available statistics on the victims of this form of violence, the female gender is mostly at the receiving end. Consequently, sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination. Using the desktop research method, this article examines sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions by highlighting the nature, scope and types of sexual harassment, the article further explores the incidences of sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions, equally, it discusses the impact of sexual harassment on the human rights of women and girls in Nigeria, in the same vein, it examines the legal framework on sexual harassment in Nigeria. This paper argues that even though sexual harassment is on the increase in Nigerian tertiary institutions, the efforts of the government and the institutions to curb this major human right challenge seems to be grossly inadequate. The study concludes that sexual harassment is a gross violation of the human rights of the victims and that its impact on the quality of education in higher institutions of learning is grave. It recommended that government should make a concerted effort in ensuring the domestication of international and regional human rights treaties on sexual harassment and also ensure the implementation of the domesticated treaties to curtail sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The paper further recommended that regular sensitization of staff and students of these institutions will also go a long way in stemming the tide of sexual harassment. There is a need for policies on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions. Also, stiffer punishments need to be meted out to erring lecturers.

Published in	International Journal of Law and Society (Volume 6, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11
Page(s)	173-180
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Tertiary Institutions, Sexual Harassment, Gender- Based Violence, Human Rights

References

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[30]	The Nation, (2021) “KWASU Dismisses Lecturer for Alleged Sexual Harassment” accessed 8th March 2023. https://www.nationonlineng.net/kwasu-dismisses-lecturer-for alleged-sexual-harassment/
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[32]	Tolu-Kolawole, D. (2022). “UNIABUJA Dismisses Two Professors Over Sexual Harassment” accessed 8th March 2023. https://www.punchng.com/uniabuja-dismisses-two-professors-over-sexual-harassment/
[33]	Tribune, (2021). “FedPoly, Bauchi Dismisses Two Lecturers for Indulging in Sexual Harassment of Female Students” accessed 8th March 2023. https://www.tribuneonlineng.com/fedpoly-bauchi-dismisses-two-lecturers-for-indulging-in-sexual-harassment-of-female-students/
[34]	Ukpong, C. (2022). “Rivers Polytechnic Suspends Lecturer over Alleged Sexual Harassment” accessed 8th March 2023. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/504747-rivers-polytechnic-suspends-lecturer-over-alleged-sexual-harassment.html?tztc=1
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APA Style

Bolanle Oluwakemi Eniola, Foluke Olayemi Dada. (2023). An Overview of the Legal Framework on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions-The Need for Stiffer Penalties. International Journal of Law and Society, 6(3), 173-180. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11

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ACS Style

Bolanle Oluwakemi Eniola; Foluke Olayemi Dada. An Overview of the Legal Framework on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions-The Need for Stiffer Penalties. Int. J. Law Soc. 2023, 6(3), 173-180. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11

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AMA Style

Bolanle Oluwakemi Eniola, Foluke Olayemi Dada. An Overview of the Legal Framework on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions-The Need for Stiffer Penalties. Int J Law Soc. 2023;6(3):173-180. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11,
  author = {Bolanle Oluwakemi Eniola and Foluke Olayemi Dada},
  title = {An Overview of the Legal Framework on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions-The Need for Stiffer Penalties},
  journal = {International Journal of Law and Society},
  volume = {6},
  number = {3},
  pages = {173-180},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijls.20230603.11},
  abstract = {Sexual harassment constitutes a form of gender- based violence that is prevalent globally and particularly in Nigeria. This form of violence inhibits the human rights of women and girls, recognized in international and regional instruments. Although, sexual harassment is not gender specific, however, going by the available statistics on the victims of this form of violence, the female gender is mostly at the receiving end. Consequently, sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination. Using the desktop research method, this article examines sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions by highlighting the nature, scope and types of sexual harassment, the article further explores the incidences of sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions, equally, it discusses the impact of sexual harassment on the human rights of women and girls in Nigeria, in the same vein, it examines the legal framework on sexual harassment in Nigeria. This paper argues that even though sexual harassment is on the increase in Nigerian tertiary institutions, the efforts of the government and the institutions to curb this major human right challenge seems to be grossly inadequate. The study concludes that sexual harassment is a gross violation of the human rights of the victims and that its impact on the quality of education in higher institutions of learning is grave. It recommended that government should make a concerted effort in ensuring the domestication of international and regional human rights treaties on sexual harassment and also ensure the implementation of the domesticated treaties to curtail sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The paper further recommended that regular sensitization of staff and students of these institutions will also go a long way in stemming the tide of sexual harassment. There is a need for policies on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions. Also, stiffer punishments need to be meted out to erring lecturers.},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - An Overview of the Legal Framework on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions-The Need for Stiffer Penalties
AU  - Bolanle Oluwakemi Eniola
AU  - Foluke Olayemi Dada
Y1  - 2023/07/06
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11
T2  - International Journal of Law and Society
JF  - International Journal of Law and Society
JO  - International Journal of Law and Society
SP  - 173
EP  - 180
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1908
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11
AB  - Sexual harassment constitutes a form of gender- based violence that is prevalent globally and particularly in Nigeria. This form of violence inhibits the human rights of women and girls, recognized in international and regional instruments. Although, sexual harassment is not gender specific, however, going by the available statistics on the victims of this form of violence, the female gender is mostly at the receiving end. Consequently, sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination. Using the desktop research method, this article examines sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions by highlighting the nature, scope and types of sexual harassment, the article further explores the incidences of sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions, equally, it discusses the impact of sexual harassment on the human rights of women and girls in Nigeria, in the same vein, it examines the legal framework on sexual harassment in Nigeria. This paper argues that even though sexual harassment is on the increase in Nigerian tertiary institutions, the efforts of the government and the institutions to curb this major human right challenge seems to be grossly inadequate. The study concludes that sexual harassment is a gross violation of the human rights of the victims and that its impact on the quality of education in higher institutions of learning is grave. It recommended that government should make a concerted effort in ensuring the domestication of international and regional human rights treaties on sexual harassment and also ensure the implementation of the domesticated treaties to curtail sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The paper further recommended that regular sensitization of staff and students of these institutions will also go a long way in stemming the tide of sexual harassment. There is a need for policies on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions. Also, stiffer punishments need to be meted out to erring lecturers.
VL  - 6
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Bolanle Oluwakemi Eniola

Faculty of Law, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
Foluke Olayemi Dada

College of Law, Caleb University, Lagos, Nigeria

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APA Style

Bolanle Oluwakemi Eniola, Foluke Olayemi Dada. (2023). An Overview of the Legal Framework on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions-The Need for Stiffer Penalties. International Journal of Law and Society, 6(3), 173-180. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11

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ACS Style

Bolanle Oluwakemi Eniola; Foluke Olayemi Dada. An Overview of the Legal Framework on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions-The Need for Stiffer Penalties. Int. J. Law Soc. 2023, 6(3), 173-180. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11

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AMA Style

Bolanle Oluwakemi Eniola, Foluke Olayemi Dada. An Overview of the Legal Framework on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions-The Need for Stiffer Penalties. Int J Law Soc. 2023;6(3):173-180. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11,
  author = {Bolanle Oluwakemi Eniola and Foluke Olayemi Dada},
  title = {An Overview of the Legal Framework on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions-The Need for Stiffer Penalties},
  journal = {International Journal of Law and Society},
  volume = {6},
  number = {3},
  pages = {173-180},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijls.20230603.11},
  abstract = {Sexual harassment constitutes a form of gender- based violence that is prevalent globally and particularly in Nigeria. This form of violence inhibits the human rights of women and girls, recognized in international and regional instruments. Although, sexual harassment is not gender specific, however, going by the available statistics on the victims of this form of violence, the female gender is mostly at the receiving end. Consequently, sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination. Using the desktop research method, this article examines sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions by highlighting the nature, scope and types of sexual harassment, the article further explores the incidences of sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions, equally, it discusses the impact of sexual harassment on the human rights of women and girls in Nigeria, in the same vein, it examines the legal framework on sexual harassment in Nigeria. This paper argues that even though sexual harassment is on the increase in Nigerian tertiary institutions, the efforts of the government and the institutions to curb this major human right challenge seems to be grossly inadequate. The study concludes that sexual harassment is a gross violation of the human rights of the victims and that its impact on the quality of education in higher institutions of learning is grave. It recommended that government should make a concerted effort in ensuring the domestication of international and regional human rights treaties on sexual harassment and also ensure the implementation of the domesticated treaties to curtail sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The paper further recommended that regular sensitization of staff and students of these institutions will also go a long way in stemming the tide of sexual harassment. There is a need for policies on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions. Also, stiffer punishments need to be meted out to erring lecturers.},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - An Overview of the Legal Framework on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions-The Need for Stiffer Penalties
AU  - Bolanle Oluwakemi Eniola
AU  - Foluke Olayemi Dada
Y1  - 2023/07/06
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11
T2  - International Journal of Law and Society
JF  - International Journal of Law and Society
JO  - International Journal of Law and Society
SP  - 173
EP  - 180
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1908
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20230603.11
AB  - Sexual harassment constitutes a form of gender- based violence that is prevalent globally and particularly in Nigeria. This form of violence inhibits the human rights of women and girls, recognized in international and regional instruments. Although, sexual harassment is not gender specific, however, going by the available statistics on the victims of this form of violence, the female gender is mostly at the receiving end. Consequently, sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination. Using the desktop research method, this article examines sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions by highlighting the nature, scope and types of sexual harassment, the article further explores the incidences of sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions, equally, it discusses the impact of sexual harassment on the human rights of women and girls in Nigeria, in the same vein, it examines the legal framework on sexual harassment in Nigeria. This paper argues that even though sexual harassment is on the increase in Nigerian tertiary institutions, the efforts of the government and the institutions to curb this major human right challenge seems to be grossly inadequate. The study concludes that sexual harassment is a gross violation of the human rights of the victims and that its impact on the quality of education in higher institutions of learning is grave. It recommended that government should make a concerted effort in ensuring the domestication of international and regional human rights treaties on sexual harassment and also ensure the implementation of the domesticated treaties to curtail sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The paper further recommended that regular sensitization of staff and students of these institutions will also go a long way in stemming the tide of sexual harassment. There is a need for policies on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions. Also, stiffer punishments need to be meted out to erring lecturers.
VL  - 6
IS  - 3
ER  -

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