Photo Credit: News Chronicle

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has issued a resounding condemnation of the reported sexual harassment of female students by Professor Cyril Osim Ndifon, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar.

In a scathing press release, FIDA expressed its deep outrage and disappointment with the way the case has been handled by the Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy Ohanenye.

FIDA left no room for ambiguity as it denounced all forms of gender-based violence against women, firmly asserting that the alleged harassment of female students is an abhorrent act that must be rooted out from educational institutions and society as a whole.

The organization also expressed growing concerns about the increasing incidents of sexual harassment in Nigerian universities, emphasizing that such behavior violates human rights and constitutes sexual victimization. FIDA pointed out that these actions have been legally prohibited under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015.

FIDA pledged to closely monitor the ongoing investigations and any attempts to obstruct justice in this case. It called upon the government, law enforcement agencies, civil society, and citizens to take a resolute stance against sexual harassment and gender violence in all its forms.

In conclusion, FIDA issued a powerful call to female students, urging them to stand tall and speak their truth. The organization stressed that perpetrators must face justice without regard to their status or position. FIDA remains unwavering in its commitment to defending the rights of vulnerable women and children through legal channels.