Social workers want laws to end sex demands for admission, employment

Following the recent sex for grades scandal involving lecturers of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to enact anti-sexual harassment policies.

The body said the bill would help reduce demands for sex in return for grades, admissions, employment and promotions in higher institutions, ministries and agencies across the country.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its National President, Mashood Mustapha, NASoW urged Buhari and the National Assembly to look beyond the UNILAG sex for admission scandal but enact anti-sexual harassment policies that would protect female students and job seekers.

Mustapha noted that sex for the admission scandal at UNILAG was one abuse too many. He added that the shameful practice has led many female students to unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

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Mustapha added that the bill when it becomes law should not be limited only to the academic community, but should also be extended to the ministries, parastatals, and agencies, where sex for employments and promotions are also common.
He said: “The UNILAG sex for admission scandal is one abuse too many, it is an example of many harassments, the shameful practice that has lead many female students to unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases like Human immunodeficiency Virus ( HIV) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

“The country should look beyond the UNILAG ‘Cold Room’ and come out with anti-sexual harassment policies that would reduce this immoral practice. It is so endemic to the level of having sex for a job and for promotion.
“The bill on sexual harassment should not be limited only to the academic community, it should also be extended to the ministries, parastatals, and agencies.

“The Nigeria Association of Social Workers is calling for national moral rebirth and end to hypocrisy.”

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