The Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki encourages rape victims to voice out their ordeals. She and a host of others condemn rape and all other forms of sexual Harrasment in the Maritime Industry.
Sen. Gbemisola gave the briefing on Thursday the 30th of July, 2020 during a webinar on “Enforcing Policies and Legal Instruments Against Sexual Harassment and Exploitation in the Maritime Industry”.
silence is no longer an option because we want to get justice.
Sen. Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki
The webinar was organized by Women in Maritime Journalism (WIMAJ) to commemorate the 2020 Day of the Seafarers.
The Deputy Director, Marine Pollution of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mrs Asmau Adaji represented Send. Gbemisola Saraki.
The fight against Female Sexual Harassment requires the collaboration of all stakeholders which includes the Government, Shipping Companies, the media, Civil Societies and the dauntless victims.
sen. Gbemisola Saraki
She further elucidates that organisations and individuals must shun the culture of silence.
The fight against Sexual Harrasment in the Maritime Industry
“The Federal Ministry of Transportation, with the assistance of maritime agencies, is committed to formulating policies in line with our subsisting law to address this sad phenomenon which erodes human dignity and inhibits the womenfolk from pursuing careers and exploring their potential in the maritime sector,” – Sen. Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki.
Also speaking at the event, Chairperson, Shipowners Forum, Mrs Margret Orakwusi, said there was need to look inward on how women raise the men in their household.
According to her, the preferential treatment given to men, raising men to see the female body as an entitlement, is not good at all. It is barbaric.
She said there was the need to raise men that would appreciate the fundamental rights of a woman.
Mrs. Koni Duniya, ex-seafarer and voyage management Advisor; Nigeria LNG attributed silence by rape victims to fear of Victimisation, shame or isolation onboard.
She said some could even be afraid of being killed and thrown overboard.
Mrs Jean Chiazo-Anishere, a lawyer and President, African Women in Maritime (WIMAfrica) said that to curb the menace, there was need to report to bring the perpetrators to book, hence the need to speak out.
“The webinar was insightful and encouraging to all those who got engaged”- Ms. Andrew O.P
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3 Comments
Lade Peter
This is a fact that most not be overlooked. God bless our Senator, God bless FESAN, God bless WIMAfrica, God bless Echo sailor.
We all have to fight this together, a female mariner is not a commodity
Micheal
Yes Ms. Lade peter, thank you for your contribution