Dialogue on Ending Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Universities in Zimbabwe
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DIALOGUE ON ENDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ABUSE IN UNIVERSITIES IN ZIMBABWE DIALOGUE ON ENDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT & ABUSE IN UNIVERSITIES IN ZIMBABWE UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE 24 MAY 2019 Contents 1. Introduc�on.............................................................................. 3 2. A Brief Background................................................................... 3 3. Dialogue Delegate..................................................................... 3 4. Problem Diagnosis..................................................................... 4 5. Dialogue Synopisis..................................................................... 6 5.1) Welcome Remarks.................................................................. 6 5.2) Campus Voices........................................................................ 6 5.3) Ending Sex for Grades.............................................................. 7 5.4) State of Sexual Harassment in Colleges.................................... 7 5.5) Panel Discussion: A solu�on Centred Delibera�on................... 9 5.6) Other Cri�cal Reflec�ons from the Delegates........................... 10 5.7) Commitment to End Sexual Harassment................................... 10 6. Proposed Solu�ons to End Sexual Harassment in Universi�es...... 11 7. Conclusion.................................................................................. 12 DIALOGUE ON ENDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT Page: 3 & ABUSE IN UNIVERSITIES IN ZIMBABWE 1) Introduc�on On the 24th of May 2019, Students and Youth Working on Reproduc�ve Health Ac�on Team (SAYWHAT), in partnership with Katswe Sisterhood and with support from the Swedish Embassy, hosted a solu�on focused dialogue with key stakeholders in the Higher and Ter�ary Educa�on Sector to find sustainable solu�ons to end sexual harassment and abuse in universi�es in Zimbabwe. The key delibera�ons and agreed roadmap to end the challenge is captured in this outcome document. 2) Sexual Harassment in Universi�es and the Dialogue: A Brief Background Over the past 10 years, SAYWHAT has been working with students, partners in the Sexual and Reproduc�ve Health (SRH) sector and related government structures to address various SRH challenges affec�ng students in ter�ary ins�tu�ons. Using par�cipatory methodologies in which the students themselves take overall responsibility to come up with innova�ve and youth centred interven�ons targe�ng self, the organisa�on has yielded posi�ve results that have transformed the SRH landscape in colleges in Zimbabwe, with impact now spreading to the region. Such programs aimed at achieving outcomes such as improved service uptake by young people, increased risk percep�on among students, and promo�ng responsible sexual behaviour among students. Despite the above triumphs, Sexual Harassment remains a cri�cal challenge affec�ng students. Against the background of a Zimbabwean culture that generally find it uncomfortable to discuss ma�ers of sexuality, sexual harassment has remained an almost hidden secret, albeit the reality of it being challenge that has made many students (mostly female students) vulnerable to SRH challenges. These include unplanned pregnancies, infec�on, drop outs, and serious psychological challenges to the survivor. The society, students and college authori�es included, find it a taboo to openly discuss, informed the decision by SAYWHAT to create a public sphere in which stakeholders can come together to find solu�ons to end the problem. The dialogue was organised with the principle objec�ve of coming up with a collec�ve roadmap, informed by the reali�es of students, through which stakeholders can work together to end sexual harassment in colleges. 3) Dialogue Delega�on The dialogue was a�ended by various stakeholders to allow diverse knowledge, experiences and exper�se to feed into the process for be�er solu�ons to end the challenge. Some of these stakeholders include the following Stakeholder Representa�ve Students Student representa�ves from Universi�es in Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisa�ons University Authori�es Deans for Students from 13 Universi�es in Zimbabwe (University of Zimbabwe, Great Zimbabwe University, Bindura University of Science Educa�on, Lupane State University, Na�onal University of Science and Technology, Midlands State University, Africa University, Gwanda State University, Harare Ins�tute of Technology, Zimbabwe Ezekiel Gu� University, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Womens University in Africa, Marondera State University of Agricultural Science and Catholic University). The United Na�ons Media There were Representa�ves of the Because I Am a Man Campaign Ambassadors represented by Conrad Mwanawashe and Nigel Sirnige • A culture of Tolerance for SH Offenders in Colleges: The above quote represents clear evidence that there is generally a culture of tolerance for sexual harassment offenders in the colleges. Delegates noted that offenders some�mes protect one another instead of contribu�ng to the end of the vice by promo�ng accountability by the offenders • Limited Youth Friendly Service Provision in College Clinics: Students and other stakeholders expressed concern over lack of youth friendly service provision in the colleges. Because of lack of youth friendliness, the college clinic, which should also be part of the referral places for harassed students to get help, is manned by nurses with limited apprecia�on of the reali�es of students in rela�on to sexual harassment. That most college clinics are only opened during school hours, was also raised as a major concern • Limited Knowledge on Sexual Harassment among Staff: Notably, the University of Zimbabwe Dean of Students highlighted that there is no professional development among most university staff. He noted that most lecturers these days are young, and absorbed into the university academic structure for their excellent academic results, but with no social skills to cope with the demands of being a lecturer. • Lack of Adequate Accommoda�on Facili�es for Students: Limited accommoda�on space was iden�fied as a root cause to many challenges facing students, including those that are not related to sexual harassment. Students who stay off campus are less protected as most universi�es are not able to create safety nets for these students DIALOGUE ON ENDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT Page: 4 & ABUSE IN UNIVERSITIES IN ZIMBABWE 4) Problem Diagnosis: What are the Root Causes of Sexual Harassment in Universi�es in Zimbabwe? Throughout the dialogue sessions, delegates managed to pick out what can be agreeably concluded to be among the root causes of sexual harassment in ter�ary ins�tu�ons. Delegates also agreed that most of the causes, if poli�cal will, is there, are challenges that can be addressed. Some of the issues brought up include the following Related to Students Limited Knowledge on Policies Available: In line with government recommenda�ons, delegates agreed that most colleges now have sexual harassment policies to ensure students are protected. However, there are no deliberate efforts to make sure those policies and the provisions are known by students. Furthermore, the absence of laws and cons�tu�onal provisions on sexual harassment weaken the implementa�on of sexual harassment policies with par�cular reference with the legal route of resolving sexual harassment cases. Limited Knowledge on Repor�ng System: Because there is limited knowledge on the policies available and their provisions, students who face sexual harassment are not aware of what steps they can take to make the perpetrators accountable and for them to get the survivor help needed A culture of Silence: Students at the mee�ng highlighted that generally, sexual harassment is treated like a taboo in the colleges. This is mostly for fear of retalia�on by the perpetrators, and fear of further harassment and cri�cism for repor�ng the case. Students further expressed concern that some�mes the survivor will end up carrying the burden of blame by the public jury Related to Staff and Administra�on “Why is it that even known sexual harassment offenders are s�ll employed by the universi�es? We know them, and instead of being held accountable for their offenses, they have been rewarded with promo�ons to higher posi�ons within the university structure,” Musasa Project Director Ne�y Musanhu • A culture of Tolerance for SH Offenders in Colleges: The above quote represents clear evidence that there is generally a culture of tolerance for sexual harassment offenders in the colleges. Delegates noted that offenders some�mes protect one another instead of contribu�ng to the end of the vice by promo�ng accountability by the offenders • Limited Youth Friendly Service Provision in College Clinics: Students and other stakeholders expressed concern over lack of youth friendly service provision in the colleges. Because of lack of youth friendliness, the college clinic, which should also be part of the referral places for harassed students to get help, is manned by nurses with limited apprecia�on of the reali�es of students in rela�on to sexual harassment. That most college clinics are only opened during school hours, was also raised as a major concern • Limited Knowledge on Sexual Harassment among Staff: Notably, the University of Zimbabwe Dean of Students highlighted that there is no professional development among most university staff. He noted that most lecturers these days are young, and absorbed into the university academic structure for their excellent academic results, but with no social skills to cope with the demands