A Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, Dr (Mrs) Saudat Abdulbaqi has stressed the need and called for law against sexual harassment and other related abuses against girl-child in Nigeria.
Abdulbaqi made the call on Friday during an interview with journalists shortly after a sensitisation campaign against all forms of maltreatment of girl child.
The event, organised by the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) to mark this year edition of International Day of Girl Child, was held at Dr Alhaja Rihanat Arowolo Women Quranic Centre ‘A’, Centre Igboro, Ilorin, Kwara State.
She said that if such law is enacted and enforced, it will stem the tide of all manner of sexual harassment that have become order of the day in the present Nigeria.
She suggested that anyone found guilty of sexual harassment must be adequately dealt with according to the provision of the law, expressing worry that the issue of sexual harassment was on the increase.
The female don explained that the girl child needs to be celebrated and encouraged to be able to reach her maximum and should not be discriminated against in the society.
According to her, there are so many challenges that are confronting the girl child in the society, saying that among them is sex for grade issue that is going round in higher institutions in the country.
This, she said, calls for greater sensitisation among parents and the girl -child, pointing out that there is need to let the children, especially the female child, know their rights in the society.
“We need to let them know what constitutes molestion, we need to let them know what constitutes sexual harassment, when they know all these, nobody can lure them into ‘cold room’ not to talk of depriving them of their fundamental rights.
“Concerning the theme of this year which is ” Empowering Girl Child for a brighter tomorrow” we are not talking about formal education alone, but total development of a girl child including sex education so that she knows exactly when she becomes deprived of her rights, and she will be able to speak out because in ability to speak out is why many Nigerian girls become victims of sexual harassment” She added.
