On Wednesday, transport workers in Kaduna commenced developing bylaws to curb sexual harassment and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in motor parks.

The transport workers were the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Tricycle Riders and Owners Cooperative Society of Nigeria, Tricycle and Wheel Riders Operators Multipurpose Cooperative and Tricycle Multipurpose Cooperative Society.

The development of the bylaws for the different groups is being supported by Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI), an NGO, under its ‘We for Them’ project, designed to curb sexual harassment in public places.

The NURTW secretary (special duties), Hassan Ibrahim, said in Kaduna during the awareness seminar on SGBV, organised by EWEI, that the union had made provisions for addressing issues of SGBV in its constitution.

Mr Ibrahim, however, noted that the provisions were not comprehensive enough to address all issues of sexual harassment and violence. He explained that developing the bylaw was crucial to address other issues of SGBV that the union‘s constitution did not cover.

Also, the chairman of the cooperative, Yohana Gaiya, said that the bylaw would strengthen the society’s response to SGBV committed in their packs.

“This will enable us to align our operations with existing laws relating to SGBV in the state,” she said.

Isah Abdullahi, the cooperative’s secretary, said developing the bylaws would help keep their members in check. According to him, the move will ensure comprehensive protection of commuters against harassment and clearly define and document sanctions for any member who indulges in sexual harassment of passengers, including his spouse.

Bukola Ajao, the coordinator of the Kaduna Civil Society SGBV Coalition, commended the road transport workers for being decisive in curbing SGBV in their packs through documents, code of conduct and sanctions.

EWEI’s programme officer, Mendie Jeremiah, said the ‘We for Them’ project was being supported by the African Women’s Development Fund. Mr Jeremiah said the transport workers were already trained on existing laws concerning sexual and gender-based violence in the state.

(NAN)