By Nasratu Kargbo
Legal Access through Women Yearning for Equality Rights and Social Justice (LAWYERS) has called on institutions to lay down policies to protect women from sexual harassment.
A press release issued on the 25th October 2022, by the advocacy institution which comprises mainly women legal practitioners stated that both the public and private workplaces and educational institutions should initiate policies that protect women complainants from being victimized by their abusers and the media.
It stressed the need for women and girls to feel safe in their learning and workplace environment, with no sense of fear from gender-based violence.
The institution stated that they have been following complaints on the sexual harassment in tertiary institutions and the banking sector, noting that they are paying extreme attention on the issue.
The institution in the release stated that they are disturbed and worried about the spate of allegations made on sexual harassment, which according to them lacks accountability.
“L.A.W.Y.E. R.S. condemns sexual harassment in all its forms in public and private institutions in Sierra Leone. Sexual harassment is a crime under Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Amendment Act of 2019 and must be treated as such” a part of the release reads.
It explained that the institution intends to follow up with investigations of all allegations that were made to the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), highlighting the recent allegations made against the Managing Director of the Rokel Commercial Bank (SL) Ltd, Dr. Ekundayo Gilpin by a former female staff.
LAWYERS urged the SLP to make sure that they hastily investigate and conclude cases of sexual harassment. Women who face sexual harassment have been encouraged to speak up so they could be reached out to, and supported.
Gilpin’s case and that of six male lecturers at the Milton Margai University are the most recent alleged cases of sexual harassment to attract public attention.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (28/10/22)
