In the media

Transparency International has published a report outlining the reality of sexual corruption in Rwanda’s education system. It outlines how sexual demands are used, especially in higher education, in return for favours such as grade allocation, class access and exam participation. As women only account for 34% of the student population in higher education and 25% of academic staff, the system remains vulnerable to gender-based violence.

Nigeria’s Senate has approved the “Sexual Harassment of Students” Bill that could impose imprisonment of up to 14 years for academic staff in higher education who sexually harass students. In a context where sex-for-grades scandals have long caused concern, this law protects students while holding academic institutions accountable. It also requires institutions to establish an Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee with investigative powers to bolster accountability.

A nationwide survey by England’s Office for Students revealed alarming levels of sexual misconduct in universities: 14% of students reported sexual violence, one in four faced harassments. Women and LGBTQ+ students were disproportionately affected. With 52,000 responses, this is the first sector-wide data, prompting calls for stronger prevention, training, and accountability measures.

A report on sexual harassment by the Commission for Gender Equality has revealed that some student leaders at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa have demanded sexual favors from first-year students in exchange for on-campus accommodation. Additionally, at North-West University, other students have reported engaging in sex work to survive. This report highlights both corruption among university students and serious cases of sexual harassment.

A Control Yuan investigation revealed that National Taiwan University (NTU) failed to protect students from sexual harassment adequately and mishandled related complaints. The investigation found multiple harassment incidents involving an associate professor and a dormitory supervisor. Despite being aware of a sexual harassment allegation against the supervisor, NTU did not take timely or effective action to separate the supervisor from the affected student, leading to further issues.

The Moroccan feminist activist group Collectif 490 has unveiled a new digital guidebook designed to combat the pervasive issue of sexual harassment encountered by students at universities throughout the Nation. The guide comes in response to an alarming 2019 study by Morocco’s High Planning Commission which found that one in five women have experienced violence while studying.

Corruption and impunity in the Nigerian university system have had a negative impact on the governance of Federal tertiary institutions and the quality of education received by students. In a recent report, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project stated that various allegations of corruption in federal universities ranging from the unfair award of degrees, inflation of contracts, and cuts in staff salaries to the employment of unqualified staff and sexual harassment - are now widespread, and the condition of most of the structures housing the various faculties and departments of these institutions is poorly maintained.

The Government will introduce a new bill aimed at tackling growing incidences of sexual harassment in Nigerian higher education institutions. It prescribes imprisonment of up to 14 years for any academic found guilty of sexual misconduct against students. According to a World Bank survey, 70% of female graduates from Nigerian tertiary institutions were sexually harassed in school by their course-mates and lecturers. It shows the need to strengthen mechanisms in universities and other higher institutions in Nigeria to monitor the activities of both lecturers and students.

New Ontario legislation will ban non-disclosure agreements so professors cannot hide a history of sexual misconduct when applying to other universities or colleges. It will give schools rights to fire staff when they are found to have abused a student – and stop them from being rehired.

According to a report from TI Rwanda, female students are asked for sexual favours in exchange for marks and are often subjected to gender-based corruption when writing their dissertations. The report reveals that sexual harassment in universities is still prevalent and includes sexually suggestive language, sexual extortion by superiors and pressure to perform sexual favours in return for opportunities. The leadership structures of universities are advised to put in place measures to identify and punish any gender-based issue and protect informants when cases arise.