Policewomen who spoke to a journalist have admitted the occurrence of sexual harassment by male bosses who punish female officers for refusing their advances.
Sexual harassment is a frequent occurrence in many work places and the Nigerian police force isn't an exeption.
A PUNCH reporter who investigates on allegations of how female offices are being punished for refusing sexual advances from their bosses.
Speaking to the reporter, the female officers who pleaded anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the issue narrated how they often come under constant pressures to give in as refusal has led to delayed promotion, dropping off of their names from promotion lists or good postings. Sometimes, their names are being omitted from promotional training courses.
“It wasn’t long before I realised I was going to pay for not giving in to them. Many times I was posted to places like the police cooperative, where my skills and knowledge were rendered useless. I had the physique and the intellect to be at better posts, even in the field. But they did not allow me to be at such posts. At least twice they removed my name from the lists of officers to go and study abroad. And to my surprise, they made it obvious to me that they were punishing me for refusing to have sex with them,” one of the officers said.
Another said the advances came regardless of the fact that they were aware she was married as there were constant efforts to lure her with gifts and promises of speedy promotion.
“I’ve been asked out several times by my bosses; they know I’m married, yet they still want to sleep with me. This is not something so strange to me because even before I joined the Force, it happened. Men like to ask ladies out whether they are married or not; they just don’t care. Unfortunately, I cannot do it. I am a faithful Christian"