By Lois Kangkum & Emmanuella Adeshina
The usual culture of locking restrooms is becoming worrisome to students in the Faculty of Social Sciences, especially to the female folk.
Speaking during a cross section of interview, the female students pointed out that although the measure was done with the good faith to curb mismanagement and misuse, it has made the use of this facility highly unbearable hence calling on the authorities in the faculty to intervene.
The worst hit by this measure are the female students whose biological makeup puts them in difficult position to ease themselves in open spaces, unlike their male counterparts.
According to Jane, a 200 level student of Sociology, “The policy is frustrating because, on days when I get unbearably pressed, I begin to think of running to another faculty with open restrooms; you can only imagine running down from the third floor as a woman when you are pressed”.
Another student, Margaret also narrated her experience: “There was this day I had a running stomach and I couldn’t find my course representative to get the key for the restroom. Everywhere was locked, I was already in tears as I thought I was going to mess up myself. A friend noticed my inconvenience and directed me to rush to the Management Sciences Faculty.”
When asked the reasons behind this measure, Generous Dabian who is Welfare Secretary of the Association of Mass Communication Students (AMCOMS) disclosed that the restrooms are locked to keep them clean and reduce the possibilities of multiple infections.
“The keys are usually accessible to all students from their course representatives. The restroom tends to get messed up when left freely open as some students are careless about their hygiene.”
However, students are not satisfied with the reasons and believe creating awareness among students on proper use of the restrooms, efficient water supply and provision of toiletries is a better way to handling this menace.
Photo Credit: Lois Kangkum
