WOVAIDE Advocates Zero Tolerance for Sexual Harassment at NYSC Orientation Course in Taraba State.

By Keke Moses

As part of efforts to combat Sexual Harassment (SH) and foster safer work and social environments, the Executive Director of the Women of Valour Initiative for Development and Empowerment (WOVAIDE), a Non-Governmental Organization in the State, Mrs. Sarah David Ibi, delivered a Sensitization Lecture at the NYSC Batch “A” Stream II Orientation Course in Taraba State on Saturday.

At the Sensitization lecture on “Sexual Harassment”, Mrs. Ibi a Gender expert, outlined the various forms, impacts, and legal implications of sexual harassment, with a call for stronger institutional policies and public awareness.

The session had over 1000 corp members as target population, and some NYSC staffs including security personnels in attendance, sought to educate participants on how to recognize, prevent, and respond to sexual harassment, particularly within workplace settings.

"Sexual harassment is a clear form of sex-based discrimination and GenderBased Violence. It includes unwanted physical, verbal, or nonverbal behaviour that violates a person's dignity and creates a hostile environment," she emphasized.

Mrs. Ibi detailed types of harassment—ranging from physical contact and suggestive comments to digital stalking and abuse of authority—highlighting the emotional, physical, and financial toll it takes on victims.

The presentation also addressed prevalent myths, such as the belief that harassment is rare, harmless, or provoked by victims, and stressed the importance of recognizing the signs early. According to Mrs. Ibi, workplace culture often plays a role in fostering harassment, particularly in male-dominated settings or where traditional gender roles prevail.

In her remarks, Mrs. Ibi commended the NYSC for adopting a sexual harassment policy that aligns with global best practices and urged full implementation of the policy to protect corps members and staff.

She encouraged organizations of all sizes to institutionalize anti-harassment policies and referenced the Taraba State VAPP Law 2021, a domestication of the National Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015, as a potent legal framework for prosecuting offenders and safeguarding victims.

The session formed part of WOVAIDE's ongoing advocacy to empower youth and eliminate sexual violence in institutions and communities across Taraba State.

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