Erhuvwu Etarhienyo
Ita-Giwa contended that female Senators should adopt a strong and unapproachable stance rather than making claims of sexual harassment.
A Former Senator for Cross River South, Florence Ita-Giwa, has addressed the ongoing controversy over allegations of sexual harassment in the Nigerian Senate.
She emphasized that female legislators should project strength and maintain an unapproachable demeanor to prevent such incidents. Responding to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment, Ita-Giwa expressed disappointment in the manner the issue was brought up. She argued that discussing such claims in the Senate could be seen as a sign of weakness.
“At that stage in the Senate, it you come and say that somebody is sexually harassing you, it’s a weakness. You make yourself unapproachable. You don’t let anybody take you around and show you things… You don’t allow it.”
“It is the worst sign of weakness on a woman’s part. You understand? For you to come out and accuse a man or accuse a man of making passes at that level,” she added.
In an interview with ARISE News on Tuesday, Ita-Giwa stated that she does not support affirmative action and has never defined herself as a woman in politics, but rather as an individual. She emphasized her belief in personal merit over gender identity.
“I presented myself as a person no u. Once you go to that arena, you present yourself as a person… You have passed that stage of your life of being sexually harassed. Yes, by the time you go there and pass, you have passed that. So you are all equal in that Senate. Yes, you are all equal, It is out of order. Again, it shows weakness, you don’t allow it.”
“It cannot happen in the senate, im not saying the lady is lying but again, when you get to senate, you are there as a person, you are not there as a man or woman. It doesn’t matter what you are carrying between you.”
She also condemned the informal practice of addressing some Senators by their first names, arguing that it diminishes the institution’s dignity. Additionally, she rejected claims that female Senators are marginalized, asserting that all elected officials are equals and must confidently exercise their authority.
Ita-Giwa stressed that women who have worked hard to secure a seat in the Senate must project confidence and not allow themselves to be intimidated.
“By the time you get there, you have as much authority as the other men have,” she said, adding that there are official channels to handle grievances rather than making public allegations.
- Although she recognized Akpoti’s intelligence and determination in securing her seat, Ita-Giwa maintained that female Senators should prioritize governance over allegations of harassment.
