Makerere University students have formed an Anti-Sexual Harassment body to fight against sexual harassment among staff and students.

This was during the Students’ Sensitization and Feedback workshop on the Makerere University Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment held on Tuesday 19th April 2016.

Addressing the students, the Acting Director, Gender and Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD), Ms. Frances Nyachwo said the Students’ Sensitization and Feedback Workshop aimed at sensitizing students on the Makerere University Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment and to re-align the policy to the Makerere University Collegiate System.

The Team No Sexual Harassment at Makerere University will be a proactive platform for students to actively engage in creating awareness, sensitizing fellow students on the policy and regulations on sexual harassment well as fighting against sexual harassment actions.

“With this body, it will be easy for us to monitor the activities of the Anti-Sexual Committees, participate in outreach programmes to sensitize our fellow students on the anti-sexual harassment policy. It is an umbrella which will bind us together as students and empower us for a common cause of fighting for our rights,” said Sharon Barigye, a student of Makerere University Business School (MUBS).

One of the facilitators, Prof. Sylvia Tamale from Makerere University School of Law reiterated the fact that women have always been more vulnerable to sexual harassment/sexual abuses compared to men. Prof. Tamale revealed that 98% victims of sexual harassment are female. She attributed this to the societal segregation which creates power imbalances among male and female as well as the patriarchal systems.

Prof. Tamale advised students to ensure that sexual harassment cases are backed by evidence. Sharing case studies and day-to-day incidents, Prof. Tamale equipped students with knowledge and tactics of gathering/documenting evidence on sexual harassment tendencies/incidents/cases.

Sharing her experience in handling sexual harassment cases, Prof. Tamale said the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committees face a challenge of bringing the harassers to book due to lack of evidence and unwillingness of some people to appear as witnesses.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. Timely decisions are very crucial. Therefore students should always report cases of sexual harassment to the concerned individuals in time. Avoid anonymous complaints because we will not have a complaint. Always tell the truth, equip yourself with evidence, be bold, clear and ready to fight for your rights,” she advised.

During this interactive workshop, students proposed approaches and mechanisms they could use to fight against sexual harassment. In the session facilitated by Mak Senior Public Relations Officer-Ms Ritah Namisango, the students noted that their active engagement in the Anti-Sexual Harassment Drive would empower them to fight against sexual abuses.  Some of the ideas suggested included;

• Continuous sensitization of students and staff on the Makerere University Policy and Regulations on Sexual Harassment
• A proposal to include a Religious leader on the College/Unit Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee
• In Units/Colleges where Anti-Sexual Harassment Committees are non-existent, the students (Team No Sexual Harassment at Makerere University) will use official channels to demand for the formation of such Committees.
• To revitalize the Gender Mainstreaming Student Peer Trainers’ programme to support the Anti-Sexual Harassment agenda University wide.
• Students from the College of Computing and Information Sciences together with the Quality Assurance Directorate to develop an Application to sensitize staff and students on sexual harassment.
• Use of the social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter to sensitize students, staff and the wider University community on the Makerere University Policy and Regulations on Sexual Harassment.
• GMD in conjunction with Colleges/Schools should organize/ conduct debates against Sexual Harassment at School/ College Level.
• The Gender Mainstreaming Directorate to involve students (Team No Sexual Harassment and Makerere University) to develop messages against Sexual Harassment that would be circulated to Colleges/Units.

The Manager of Academic Affairs, at Quality Assurance Directorate-Makerere University Dr. Euzobia Baine encouraged students to read and understand the policy and regulations on Sexual Harassment to fully understand the approaches/processes of seeking help and/or helping those who are sexually harassed. She informed students that each College should have a functional Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee, and encouraged students to liaise with the College leadership to ensure that they prioritize the Anti-Sexual Harassment Agenda in the University.

Dr. Baine also advised students to remain bold, say NO to sexual harassment and report cases to the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committees. “Have confidence that when you lodge a complaint, it will be listened to. Do not be intimidated and do not allow the harasser to take advantage of you. Carefully document the acts of the harasser. The Anti-Sexual Harassment Committees will always handle cases backed by evidence. Always avoid false accusations in your complaint because they will fail you and destroy your life totally,” she said.

Closing the workshop on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, the Acting Director, Gender and Mainstreaming Directorate Ms. Frances Nyachwo, called for a close collaboration between students and the Gender and Mainstreaming Directorate to seriously fight against sexual harassment in the University.  

The Senior Public Relations Officer of Makerere University, Ms Ritah Namisango who facilitated the Session that culminated in the Way/Forward/Action Points thanked the students for the  roactive and constructive idea of creating an Anti-Sexual Harassment Body which she said would be a driving tool to kick sexual harassment out of Makerere University.

Important notes: In 2015, Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate organized a related Sensitization and Feedback workshop for staff.

Article: Mak Public Relations Office