ABSU LAW CLINIC ANTI SEXUAL HARRASSMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS ENLIGHTENMENT CAMPAIGN

Two groups of 500 Level Student Clinicians on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 embarked on a Street Law/Public Legal Education Program tagged Anti Sexual Harassment/ Human Rights Enlightenment Campaign to Federal Government Girls College, Old Umuahia and Fatima Technical School, Isuikwuato all in Abia State. The team led by Ifeoma Onuoha also comprised of Ihunweze Peterson, Akanwa Ijeoma, Mgbeahuru Adaeze and Steve Ukaegume visited Fatima Technical School while the team led by Okoro Gloria Emea and also comprising of Ukanwa Izundu, Nwanegbo C. Felix, Obasi Uchechukwu Mgbo and Egonu Ugochi Ann visited FGGC Umuahia.

It will be recalled that ABSU Law Clinic last year embarked on a similar visit to Isuikwuato LGA for an outreach programme targeted at the Women, this time around the target audience were Secondary School Students.

At the occasion, the Clinicians highlighted to the Students the role of the Clinic, their fundamental rights as well as the avenues for enforcing then in the event of a breach, with emphasis on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. The students were informed about the meaning, types, causes and effect of sexual harassment and advised on how best to prevent same. At the end of the enlightenment exercise, there was a very exciting and interactive session were the students/participants were allowed to air their views and also clear certain doubts. When interviewed on their experiences at the event, the Clinicians had this to say:

"It felt good having to educate the Students on the effects of Sexual Harassment both in the school environment and health wise such as loss of trust in every one" ...... Akanwa Ijeoma Nora.

"We were apprehensive at the start but when it finally started, it dawned on me that this is an area of law that one feels like saying, what have wee been doing since? Just like the students, I just wish we could have a second chance, or maybe more. " Okoro, Gloria Emea.

"It was simply, an eye opener" ............Ukaegume Steve.

"It was an activity worth experiencing, where both you and your audience learn." Mgbeahuru Adaeze (LAWSAN Vice President)

"Oh it was a wonderful and exhilarating experience, catching them young into the realm of destiny." ........Ihunweze Peterson.

And for the leader of the team, Ifeoma Onuoha, "it was loaded with fun, it should be done frequently".

Meanwhile, the Clinic Prison service work continues today, with a group of Clinicians scheduled to meet with the Director of Public Prosecution, Abia State today. The visit is part of the avenues the Clinic hopes to exploit, to secure the release of inmates who are wrongfully detained in prisons across the state.