GOMBE — The Centre for Gender Studies at Gombe State University has urged students and staff to familiarise themselves with the university’s sexual harassment policy and promptly report suspected violations.
The Director of the Centre, Dr Aishatu Abubakar-Kumo, made the call on Wednesday during a campus-wide awareness walk organised to sensitise members of the university community about the policy and available reporting mechanisms.
Awareness Campaign
Abubakar-Kumo said the campaign was designed to help students and staff understand what constitutes sexual harassment, how such conduct can be prevented and the channels available for reporting incidents.
She said the university wanted members of its community to understand the rules and regulations so they could contribute to a peaceful and respectful environment where students could study and live without fear.
The director disclosed that the university launched its sexual harassment policy in April but was unable to immediately commence the planned awareness campaign.
Copies of the policy have since been distributed to various university offices, while electronic versions have also been circulated through online platforms to enable students and staff to access and study the document.
About 50 Desk Officers
The Centre has also established sexual-harassment desk officers across departments and units to receive complaints.
According to Abubakar-Kumo, about 50 desk officers are operating across the university’s main campus, Dukku and other locations.
She encouraged students to be proactive, stressing that bystanders could also play an important role in preventing harassment.
The director said members of the university community should not ignore inappropriate conduct when they witnessed it and urged them to report incidents through the appropriate channels.
The university’s policy provides for formal and informal reporting mechanisms and requires the identities of complainants to be protected. It also provides for investigation and appropriate action where allegations are established.
No Formal Complaint Yet
Abubakar-Kumo disclosed that the Centre had not received a formal sexual harassment complaint since the policy was launched, although it had received informal reports of alleged incidents.
She explained that the absence of formal complaints should not be interpreted to mean that sexual harassment was not occurring within the university community.
The director urged students and staff to bring complaints forward so that the appropriate authorities could investigate them.
She also encouraged students to use available technology responsibly to document incidents where possible, particularly when doing so could assist an investigation.
Policy Defines Prohibited Conduct
The university’s sexual harassment policy covers unwanted sexual comments or communications, unwanted physical or sexual advances, sharing intimate materials without consent, stalking, sexually suggestive materials, and offering or implying rewards in exchange for sexual favours, among other conduct.
The policy also emphasises consent and provides reporting procedures for students and staff.
The awareness walk began at the Rashidi Multipurpose Hall and passed through parts of the university, including the faculties of Social Sciences, Education and Science, hostels, medical college, library and postgraduate facilities before ending at the T-junction.
Abubakar-Kumo urged members of the university community to study the policy carefully, saying greater awareness would help students and staff recognise prohibited conduct, understand their rights and know where to seek help.
She stressed that the reporting mechanism remained open to members of the university community regardless of their position or status.
