CITAD commends 14-year jail term for sexual harassment in schools

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has commended the new law prescribing a 14-year jail term for sexual harassment in schools, describing it as a key step toward protecting students’ rights and dignity in Nigeria.

The commendation was made by the Programme Officer of the Male Feminist Network Project, Mr. Sani-Saidu Muhammad, during a press conference on Wednesday in Zaria, Kaduna State, where he also urged men to support the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).

Muhammad said the law would serve as a strong deterrent to perpetrators of sexual misconduct and help to create safer learning environments for students.

He called on governments at the sub-national level to domesticate the law to ensure its full implementation across the country.

The official also appealed to states yet to adopt the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and the Child’s Rights Act to do so urgently to strengthen child protection and curb gender-based violence.

Muhammad said CITAD had introduced a new initiative tagged “Core Support for Network Building of Male Feminists in Support of Gender-Based Violence Prevention in Nigeria.”

He explained that the initiative seeks to mobilize men and boys as allies in the campaign against GBV and gender discrimination.

“We recognize that much of the gender-based violence directed at women is perpetrated by men, but we also believe that men’s agency is critical in ending this negative treatment against our womenfolk,” he said.

Muhammad added that the programme, implemented in partnership with the Centre for Leadership, Strategy, and Development (Centre LSD), is running in Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa States to promote gender equality and women’s dignity.

He said the network had engaged traditional and religious leaders to denounce harmful practices such as forced marriage, spousal abuse, and public humiliation of GBV survivors.

CITAD, he added, also uses its radio programme “Martabar Ya Mace” (“The Dignity of a Woman”) to promote positive masculinity and gender equality through digital media.

Muhammad emphasized the need to close the gender digital gap, noting that limited access to technology for women deepens social and economic inequality.

“Change begins with each of us — through our words, our actions, and our willingness to challenge silence,” he added.

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