Africa News of Tuesday, 7 July 2020

Source: bbc.com

Nigeria closes in on sexual harassment law

Nigeria's Senate has passed a high-profile sexual harassment bill, focused on preventing the sexual harassment of students in university education.

The proposed legislation follows a BBC investigation last year that uncovered alleged sexual misconduct by lecturers in Nigeria and Ghana.

Sending a clear message to offenders, under the proposed legislation teaching staff found guilty of having a sexual relationship with their student could be sentenced for up to 14 years.

It would be illegal for lecturers to make sexual advances towards students.

The bill will now be sent to the House of Representatives. If passed there it will be sent to President Muhamadu Buhari for final approval.

The anti-sexual harassment bill was originally introduced in 2016 but was not passed by both houses of parliament.

It was reintroduced following the BBC's Africa Eye Documentary which prompted outrage over harassment in Nigeria and Ghana, and led to the suspension of four lecturers featured in the film.

The suspended lecturers denied the allegations.

The last month has seen protests across Nigeria calling for justice for victims of gender-based violence.