Towards The Eradication of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: Legal Issues

With the adverse impact of the concept of sexual harassment at work place, on humans (both genders) and Society in general, the great need to curb the menace which is currently plaguing and eating into the core fabrics of the society; the need to curb the vice becomes imminent, more so in Nigeria where the unscrupulous act is found to be on a constance increase and where so many a time the offcenders goes unpunished and their victims are left to leak up their wounds. To achieve the aims of examining the concept of eradication of sexual harassment in the workplace, some vital issues must be brought to the limelight; Matters such as fundamental rights of victims, challenges against the eradication of sexual harassment in the work place in Nigeria, critically appraising the adequacy and effectiveness of the legal and institutional framework for curbing sexual harassment in the workplace Nigeria, and identifying lessons for Nigeria on curbing sexual harassment in the work place using both local and international solutions. The research adopts a doctrinal method and utilises both primary and secondary sources of data. In assessing the nature, causes and effects of sexual harassment in work place, the research found the fundamental human rights of the victim to be largely infringed by sexual harassment, and the situation in other part of Africa are not so different from Nigeria’s. It also found, among others, that the curbing of sexual harassment is mitigated by factors To effectively curb sexual harassment in work place, then, this work recommends the amendment of the constitution in order to make section 17 (3) (a) (b) (c) justifiable. The section provides for safe conditions of work that are humane and just to ensure safety of the employees by the state through her social order. Regular training of employees , managers and supervisors is highly recommended and creating a work environment where employees are allowed to speak out and kick against sextual harassment without being stigmatised must be encouraged.