Institutions of higher education are dealing with issues of justice, fairness, gender equity and democracy. The education and training of students take place in multicultural and multiethnic environments where student from different social, economic, age, gender, class and religious backgrounds mix in pursuit of learning. The productivity and quality of teaching and learning in educational institutions is affected by the gender climate that is created in these institutions as all these diverse people interact frequently.
Our campuses must provide an accommodating learning environment in order for students to thrive. One aspect of managing campus climate that is a challenge for universities everywhere is the need for reducing sexual harassment and violence.
On July 24-28, 2017, InnovATE and ERA Senegal convened a symposium in Saly, Senegal to share institutions’ experiences and develop a list of recommended good practices for developing and revising such policies in the context of Sub-Sahara African higher education. Questions dealt with included: “Can policy reinforce norms of good behavior?” “What policy elements best communicate these norms?” “How can we maximize the effectiveness of such policies when resources are limited?”
Participants were experts and stakeholders from across Africa and the United States. Some invitees came from institutions that already have such policies, while some invitees were from institutions that do not. All participating institutions and individuals contributed by (1) presenting the current state of policy regarding sexual harassment and violence at their respective campuses, (2) listening to the state of affairs at other institutions, and (3) working with other participants to draft recommendations. Participants returned to their home institutions and organizations with increased awareness of the challenge and with useful knowledge and tools to continue improving the campus safety climate.
Presentations
Senegalese Institutions
Harassment and Sexual Violence on Campus: List of Demands (French) Sire Diedhiou, Ziguinchor University
Présentation Université de Thies
Promoting Policies to Reduce Sexual Harassment and Violence (French) Université de Thiès
Alioune Diop de Bambey University (French) El H. Mar Leye, Ndickou Wade, Fatou Mbacke, Coumba Diop, Ndeye Fatou Sy
UCAD Combating Sexual Harassment and Violence through Structures of Policy and Gender Integration (French) Diène Ngom
Sexual Harassment and Violence: The Experience of the University Gaston Shepherd of Saint-Louis (French)
Harassment and Violence in Universities; Agricultural Technical High School Emile Badiane de Bignona
African Institutions (outside of Senegal)
Campus Climate Workshop; University of Ghana Mabel Ama Pinkrah
Promoting Policies to Reduce Sexual Harassment and Violence Prof. Livingstone Sam-Amoah, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, and Dr. Genevieve Adukpo, Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Chemistry; Coordinator for Advocacy and Outreach; Center for Gender Research Advocacy and Documentation (CEGRAD), University of Cape Coast
Institutional Policy Gender and Equity of ISAV/ Faranah (French) Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Republic of Guinea
Campus Climate Symposium: Promoting Policies to Reduce Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Dr. Ruth Aura-Odhiambo, Faculty of Law, Management of Sexual Harassment, Egerton University (EU) Kenya
Sexual Harassment Policy at the University of Nairobi Kenya
Campus Climate Symposium: Promoting the Reduction of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Kebben Y. Howard-Musue; Director, Human Resources; University of Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa
The Challenge of Reducing Sexual Harassment and Violence in Universities Mr. Ruzindana Edward; Director of Student Affairs, University of Rwanda
The Importance of Limits of Policy in Combating Sexual Harassment on Campus and Everywhere: The South African Experience Tinyiko Maluleke; Adviser to the Principle and Vice Chancellor: University of Pretoria
Promoting Policies for Reducing Sexual Harassment’s and Sexual Violence Charles Moses Lyimo, Carolyne Ignatius Nombo; Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) – Tanzania
Gender Policy; Sokoine University of Agriculture Tanzania
The State of Policy on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) Khadija Sadiq Mahumba
U.S. Institutions
Tuskegee University Sexual Misconduct Policy Dr. Rhonda Collier, Dr. Vivian Carter; Tuskegee University
Sexual Harassment and Gender Violence: Building Capacity to Speak Up! Dr. Rhonda Collier, Dr. Vivian Carter; Tuskegee University
Sexual Prevention Activities (French) Travis T. York, Ph.D; Director of Student Success, Research, and Policy; APLU
Virginia Tech:
Sexual Assault Response Protocol
Sexual Assault Timely Warning Language
Title IX and Sexual Assault Information For Employees
Student Conduct Title IX Informational Meeting
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Directives Manual
Higher Education and Cleary Act Directives Manual
Excerpts of VT Code of Conduct and Gender-Based Violence Student Handbook