Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano, has made it clear that the institution has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment.
This declaration was made during the launch of the Confidential Center and BUK’s Sexual Harassment Policy.
Sexual harassment is a type of harassment involving the use of explicit or implicit sexual overtones, including unwelcome and inappropriate promises of rewards in exchange for sexual favours.
It can be physical or a demand or request for sexual favours, making sexually coloured remarks, showing pornography, and any other unwelcome physical, verbal, or non-verbal, sometimes provocative conduct of a sexual nature.
According to Professor Sagir, all cases of sexual harassment involving students, staff, or third parties within the university environment are handled seriously and professionally.
“The university has put in place preventive measures, structured reporting mechanisms, and penalties for severe cases of sexual harassment”
The vice chancellor highlighted that BUK has preventive measures, structured reporting mechanisms at departmental, faculty as well as penalties and remediation structures for serious cases of SH.
Professor Sagir emphasized that BUK is a leader in addressing sexual harassment, being one of the first Nigerian universities to adopt the Sexual Harassment Policy and Gender Policy, saying that, the university has also established a Center for Gender Studies, providing a safe space for students to report cases and receive guidance.
“It is as well one the few Universities in Nigeria to establish a Center for Gender Studies (CGS), which has been anchoring our University’s progressive efforts and strides towards inclusion and integration of gender considerations in all our activities”
“we also launched the “Confidential Corner” at the Center for Gender Studies. This is a safe-space that is set aside to support students who have need to report cases of sexual harassment, or those who need any form of guidance and counselling including advise on how to cope with stress, balance family, life and studies”
The director BUK CGS Ambassador Dr Safiya Nuhu hinted that, the CGS was established as a center of excellence for research, trainings and programs on gender and related issues.
“Gender being a crosscutting issue, the center adopts a multidisciplinary approach, through collaboration and partnership with various units, departments, directorates and Centers of the University, as well as with various partners and stakeholders outside the University”
“Its approach to gender issues is reflected in its vision for ‘inclusive development’, that leaves no one behind, hence the Center works extensively around the Sustainable Development Goals as it refleCTS gender inclusion”
The chairperson of the university sexual harassment committee, USHC, who doubles as the pioneer director of CGS Professor Aisha Isma’il, posited that the USHC is a standing committee composed of eminent and reputable individuals who have vast expertise in handling SH-related Cases professionally and confidently.
She noted that sexual harassment SH might include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favour and other visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when submitted to or rejected.
“Implicitly or explicitly affects a person’s education or employment opportunity or unreasonably inhibits a person’s work or educational performance”
“students or staff found guilty of sexual harassment may face one of the following sanctions expulsion, rustication, referral to police in serious cases, public apology, termination of appointment, suspension of staff among others”
The student union government SUG president, Comrade Nasir Ibrahim Isah and Maryam Sadik Wali described the sensitization as apt.
The student union government pledged to support and cascade knowledge about the sensitization, ensuring a safer and more inclusive environment for all students and staff.