Tertiary institutions without anti-sexual violence policies should be sanctioned — Prof Obilade

Felt disturbed by the spate of sexual violence that has enveloped virtually every nook and cranny of tertiary institutions of learning in the country, an outstanding Tetfund-sponsored Research group Principal Investigator, Professor Oluyemisi Obilade has agitated for sanctions against tertiary institutions without policy documents to tackle Sexual and Gender-based Violence in their institutions.

Professor Obilade, an anti-violence crusader made the remark at the dissemination/validation workshop on “Research on Ending Gender-Based Violence in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria” held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The academic don and a reputable professor of Adult Education and Women Studies frowned at the menne which she noticed has brought unhappiness to many homes and at the same time, destroyed many students’ lives in the society.

She preached against what she termed as inhumane act and insisted that the National University Commission (NUC) and other relevant institutions should look at the side of denying culpable tertiary institutions accreditations as the case may be.

In his submission at the event, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Amb. Gabriel Tanimu Adidas charged stakeholders to continue to hold one another accountable for addressing root causes of SGBV and ensure proper sanctions are meted out on perpetrators as stipulated in the Violence Against Persons Prohibition ACT 2015 in the process of carrying out justice for victims/survivors of SGBV in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions.

He however opined the research findings will undoubtedly help in policy formulation and strategy that will ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students especially the female students who are often victims of SGBV.

Also, in his research findings, Dr. Lanre Ikuteyijo hinted that, the research was carried out in tertiary institutions across the country and that, few instructions including the Obafemi Awolowo University and Kaduna State University have standard policies to stem the trend of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).