Vice Chancellor of Imo State College (IMSU), Owerri, Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze, has stated that he doesn’t see feminine college students and workers of the establishment alone in his workplace on account of problems with sexual harassment.
He famous that the varsity had skilled a number of allegations, with college students, particularly, reporting incidents of sexual harassment which, after investigation, turned out to be false and a calculated try by the accuser to malign the picture of the accused and the establishment.
The IMSU VC made the disclosure when he obtained members of the Alliance for Africa (AfA) and the Gender Models of the varsity who had been on an advocacy go to.
Chukwumaeze, who acknowledged the existence of sexual harassment incidents on the college, reiterated his dedication, since he assumed workplace, to curb the menace.
He, nonetheless, suggested civil society organizations, the media, and different involved events to at all times examine studies obtained earlier than publishing them, saying, “When investigated, you’ll uncover that a few of these studies are merely malicious lies.”
He stated, “We’re conscious there’s sexual harassment at Imo State College, however since I assumed workplace in 2021, I felt that sexual harassment, amongst different social vices, should be confronted head-on. It is usually for this identical purpose that I created an e mail platform, ‘[email protected].’
“That is to encourage the victims to report their circumstances. I obtain two to 3 sexual harassment complaints every day by way of the platform.
“You may affirm that I’ve suspended lectures and even a professor of this establishment over a sexual harassment difficulty. So I’ll proudly say that IMSU has zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
“Sadly, we have now additionally had circumstances the place some feminine college students leveled false accusations towards our lecturers of sexual harassment. This is the reason I’ll advise that you simply at all times examine studies of sexual harassment when you obtain them. As a result of when you don’t, chances are you’ll be destroying the soul of an harmless accused.
“You may additionally have to know that for this identical purpose, I don’t obtain feminine college students and workers alone in my workplace. I make it possible for my secretary is available in and stays at a distance.”
Earlier, AfA Programme Director Ms. Blessing Duru, Director of the Centre for Girls and Gender Research at IMSU, harassed the necessity for the varsity administration to strengthen mechanisms by way of the formulation of insurance policies that might assist sort out the prevalence of sexual harassment within the establishment.
Duru stated, “Moreover, the college ought to promote transparency in reporting sexual harassment circumstances. A tradition of openness, supported by clear reporting pathways and accountability measures, must be prioritized for each workers and college students. Every time a perpetrator goes unpunished, extra survivors endure re-victimization, perpetuating the cycle of hurt.”
