74% of female students sexually abused at universities

Female Students’ Network Trust programme director Mrs Evernice Munando told legislators that at least 74% of females at tertiary institutions had been subjected to sexual harassment by male lecturers, non-academic staff, security guards in return for higher marks, food and access to the campus.

While giving oral evidence before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Gender and Community Development chaired by Goromonzi West MP Beata Nyamupinga (Zanu PF), Munando said that her research conducted in 2015 showed that 85% of respondents knew of students who aborted unintended pregnancies while on campus.

She also said that the environment at Midlands State University also made female students vulnerable to abuse as accommodation is not only scarce but expensive. Munando also highlighted the need for sexual harassment policies and stated that only four institutions countrywide had such policies.