Abia State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof Uche Uche, has warned heads of higher institutions in the state to adopt proactive measures in curtailing the incidence of sexual harassment, among other social vices in their citadels of learning.

Uche who stated this on Wednesday during a One Day Stakeholders Engagement Meeting with Heads of Tertiary Education Institutions, held at the Ministry?s Board Room, described sexual harassment as a societal factor and systemic challenges affecting the minor, middle-aged and older aged in the society and enjoined them to prioritise the safety and rights of every student under their care.

The commissioner said the high rate of sexual harassment in higher institutions in the country ?Calls for a collaborative effort and support by Government and relevant bodies and advised parents to inculcate good morals and discipline, as well as monitor the type of company their Children and Wards keeps to ensure they do not fall the victim of sexual harassment.?

Delivering a Lecture titled ?Model and Sexual Harassment Policy?, the Learning, Measurement and Evaluation Officer of Gender Mobile Initiative, Mr Emmanuel Olatunde said the organization, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tertiary Education, organised the robust stakeholders engagement meeting that will enable the state government and higher Institutions in the state to develop a framework that will ensure campus safety policy initiative, standard Interventions, preventive education and technology hub adoption practice?s approach to curtail sexual harassment in higher institutions in the state.

Responding, a representative of British University, Ukwa East Local Government Area, Dr Ifenyinwa Obi, and Rev. Father Jerome Onwughalu described the stakeholders? engagement meeting as a welcome development.

According to them, ?The sensitisation awareness will go along to promoting orderliness and restoring sanity in the higher institutions in the State?

The ceremony had in attendance the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Mrs Chinyere Nwoko, Stakeholders in the education sector and representatives of Student Unions of Universities in the state. (The PUNCH)

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