Female students’ abuse prevalent in tertiary institutions

Mangaliso Kabulika

YOUNG women studying at tertiary institutions are increasingly facing various types of abuse, including sexual harassment, assault, intimate partner violence and online harassment.

This is leading to emotional and physical distress and academic difficulties which can result in students dropping out.

The women are also victims of unwelcome sexual advances from lecturers, classmates, touts and vendors, which can create a hostile and uncomfortable environment.

The rise in social media has also led to online harassment, with the young women experiencing non-consensual sharing of intimate images, causing emotional distress and reputational damage.

University of Zimbabwe Web For Life focal person, Thelma Mazanhi, told H-Metro that these abuses could be addressed by awareness campaigns, confidential reporting systems and reviews of policies and codes of conduct to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all students.

“Students are also forming organisations and clubs in collaboration with external organisations in which they train peer educators to combat abuse,” said Thelma.