Work Place Sexual Harassment: Virtuous Women Forum Drums Support For The victim, Moudline Durueke …sets for protest, legal show down with Osuagwu 

By Doris Igwe

An elite group of Professional Women in Imo State, under the auspices of VIRTUOUS WOMEN FORUM, has contacted Ms. Moudline Durueke to find out how she is holding up in her struggle against sexual harassment and hostile environment at her place of work.

This was disclosed by the President of the Group, Mrs. Ijeoma Uwandu, who was reacting to Newspaper publications concerning Miss Durueke, a Security Officer with the Ministry of Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs, who filed a Complaint of Sexual Harassment with Imo State’s Head of Service  against the HOD of the Accounts Department in the Ministry, Mr. Christian Chukwuma Osuagwu, on February 12, 2024.

In the Report, published in the Sunday Statesman of March 24, 2024, Durueke narrated her ordeal about the retaliatory and hostile conducts towards her, amounting to sexual harassment by Mr. Osuagwu after the Governor’s dissolution of his Cabinet and the exit of the Former Commissioner of the Ministry.

Mrs. Uwandu disclosed that “The VIRTUOUS WOMEN FORUM” stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless women, offering a platform where they can discuss pressing issues, share experiences, and develop strategies to overcome the challenges they face. The members, she said, have followed the plight of Durueke and the apparent lack of action on the matter with great dismay.

She described the situation as unfortunate where women at the workplace continue to experience sexual harassment as they pursue their Careers, stressing that every Women’s Group should consider taking up this fight, and her group has decided to come forward.

“We empathize with this brave young woman. Many women have had the same alleged  experience. We commend her for her courage on behalf all of us,” Uwandu said, adding that she and others will donate funds for Durueke’s legal fees, if a lawsuit is ultimately filed. However, she expressed hope that it does not come to a Court Case, adding that the powers that be in the State can resolve this matter easily and quickly.

On how the matter can be resolved, Mrs. Uwandu said that it would be up to Durueke and her Lawyer to articulate, stressing that Durueke should be restored to her place of work, with the assurances of her safety and removal of the hostility (and the source or sources of the hostility) that led to the complaint.

According to Mrs. Uwandu, the perpetrators of the alleged unwelcome sexual harassment must be penalized as a deterrent to others in the workplace.

“If the testimonies and evidences support the allegations, the culprits should be shown the exit door from the Civil Service.”

She regretted that as soon as the Commissioner was gone, a male Senior Staff allegedly chose to besmirch that sensitive Ministry with alleged unethical behaviors.

 “We now have one more evidence that leadership and leaders can make a lot of difference for women at the workplace, soon we will embark on street protest in Owerri to make sure that Justice is served to the victim,” she concluded.