A former senator, Florence Ita-Giwa, has claimed that once women become senators, they cannot be sexually harassed.
Tribune Online reports that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan recently accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of making sexual advances towards her in his office and residence in Akwa Ibom State.
She added that Akpabio frustrated her attempts to raise motions about Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State because she rejected his advances.
Reacting to the sexual harassment allegations on Tuesday on Arise TV, Senator Ita-Giwa dismissed Senator Natasha’s claim, stating that women cannot claim to be sexually harassed once they are elected to the Senate.
Ita-Giwa, who once represented Cross River South Senatorial District, believes it is a sign of weakness for female senators to complain about sexual harassment.
According to her, winning a senatorial seat is not an easy feat; therefore, female senators should see themselves as equal lawmakers to their male counterparts.
Regarding whether female lawmakers should remain silent when sexually harassed by a colleague, Ita-Giwa maintained that female senators making such accusations is a sign of weakness.
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She said, “By the time you contest elections and get to Senate, you have passed that stage of your life of being sexually harassed. You go there to serve, and you are all equal in that place. And again, it shows weakness; you don’t allow it. It (sexual harassment) can not happen in the Senate.
“I am not saying the lady is lying, but when you get to the Senate, you’re there as a person. You’re not there as a woman.
“At that stage in politics, if you come out and say someone is sexually harassing you, it is a weakness.
“On this matter, I am not with Senator Akpoti. It is the worst sign of weakness on a woman’s part to come out and accuse a man of making passes at you at that level.”
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