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| The Chairperson-Prof. Sylvia Tamale and Vice Chancellor - Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe discuss the committee report. PHOTO MAK MEDIA |
June 26, 2018 - The committee set up to investigate sexual harassment at Makerere University has in their report asked the administration to offer more support to victims. They listed several cases where victims have stated their disappointment at the way Makerere handled then when they spoke out.
The committee that was appointed by the Vice-Chancellor on March 2, 2018 to investigate sexual harassment claims at Makerere University said in its report that,“the university offers little support to victims of sexual
harassment after they report such cases and it needs to do more to eradicate
the problem.”
The committee, chaired by Professor Sylvia Tamale, handed
their report to the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on Monday at the main university campus.
Although Makerere already has a Policy and Regulations
Against Sexual Harassment, the committee observed that there was general
ignorance about it. The committee also said they noticed that a fear of retribution
and avoidance of jeopardizing job and academic careers as another reason that
undermines the elimination of sexual harassment on campus.
Why Makerere?
The Committee concluded from its findings that it is not necessarily true that cases of sexual harassment at Makerere University are increasing; rather, there is increased reportage.
“The focus on Makerere is explicable because it is the oldest
and most prestigious institution of higher learning in the country. At the same
time, such reports point to a pervasive and serious problem that the university
needs to address, but it by no means connotes that Makerere is an isolated
case,” the committee said.
The committee said the focus is being turned on the
university even though a policy against sexual harassment has been in place
since 2006, demonstrating that the problem is much larger than the drafting of
guidelines to address it.
Makerere University Committee Investigating Sexual Harassment FINAL Report June 2018 by jadwongscribd on Scribd
Recommendations
(1) Policy review.
(2) Investigation and disposal of cases.
(3) Campus environment.
(4) Raising awareness and training.
(5) Academic/administrative policy changes.
Based on its findings, the Committee made five broad recommendations, to help check sexual harassment.
(2) Investigation and disposal of cases.
(3) Campus environment.
(4) Raising awareness and training.
(5) Academic/administrative policy changes.
Based on its findings, the Committee made five broad recommendations, to help check sexual harassment.
They advised that a Policy review be done, investigation of
cases be completed and cases be disposed of, improve the Makerere campus
environment, raise awareness and training on issues related to sexual harassment
plus institute academic and administrative policy changes.
"Management will expeditiously study the report and implement its recommendations including investigation of cases identified, review of the policy," promised Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe after receiving the report.
Shocking revelations
A total of 234 interviews were conducted with members of the
university community, with some shocking statements showing the difficulty
Makerere faces to stump out the vice.
These are some:
- · “Women loitering around with their open thighs is not okay… these are devils, little temptresses who harass innocent, defenceless lecturers….” [Male lecturer]
- · I have one seductress in this hospital. She will do everything to put the men in compromising situations and thereafter she will overturn the tables to her benefit. [Female Doctor at the University Hospital]
- · Indecent dressing should not be encouraged. Parents and teachers have a duty to teach young girls and women to be decent at all times. [Male lecturer]
- · This madness of women should be put to order otherwise the world is finished! [Male lecturer]
- · Not until we teach our girl child to see herself as gold which is not like sand (easily excavated) vultures will continue preying on them. [Male lecturer]
- · “How can you end the livelihood of a man who has a family to look after and a global reputation to protect just like that?” [Respondent]
- · I have not read the policy but I have heard that there is a policy. I just imagine what it is – something like staff should not harass students or students should not harass students or staff harassing other staff. I think one needs to read it. [Respondent]
- If I report him to administration, who would the University afford to lose…, me or the guy with ground-breaking research? [Respondent]
The committee also noted that the fact that men hold a large
percentage of leadership positions may not be conducive to resolving the
complaints, most often brought in by women.
Only 26% of the top positions of leadership in Makerere are
held by women. “. Such a profile not only goes against the national
constitution that calls for gender balance and fair representation of
marginalised groups, but it also partly explains the rampant extent of sexual
harassment at Makerere. The university should address this situation,” the
report stated.
Out of 16 members of the central management team of the
University, only 2 are women. The entire 16-member executive of MUASA is made
up of men.
Gender-Segregated Leadership profile as of May 2018
Gender-Segregated Leadership profile as of May 2018
Cadre
|
Males
|
Females
|
Total
|
% of Females
|
CENTRAL MANAGEMENT
|
||||
Vice-Chancellor
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(Academics)
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance & Administration)
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
University Secretary
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Director of Human
Resources
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Academic Registrar
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
University Librarian
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
100 %
|
University Bursar
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Dean of Students
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Director, Planning &
Development
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
100 %
|
Director, Quality
Assurance
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Director, Legal Affairs
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Director, Internal Audit
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Director, Estates &
Works
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
100 %
|
Director, Research &
Graduate Training
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Director ICT Support
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
ACADEMIC STAFF
|
||||
College Principals
|
10
|
0
|
10
|
0 %
|
College Deputy Principals
|
6
|
4
|
10
|
40 %
|
Deans
|
23
|
6
|
29
|
21 %
|
Heads of Departments
|
76
|
20
|
96
|
21 %
|
Professors
|
79
|
8
|
87
|
9 %
|
Associate Professors
|
132
|
29
|
161
|
22 %
|
Senior Lecturers
|
121
|
65
|
186
|
35 %
|
Lecturers
|
360
|
129
|
489
|
26 %
|
Assistant Lecturers
|
388
|
157
|
545
|
29 %
|
STUDENTS’ GUILD
|
||||
Guild President
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Guild Vice-President
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
100 %
|
Guild Cabinet
|
18
|
6
|
24
|
25 %
|
Guild Financial Advisor
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Guild Legal Advisor
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Residential Hall
Chairpersons
|
8
|
3
|
11
|
27 %
|
Guild Representative
Council (GRC)
|
64
|
23
|
87
|
26 %
|
MUASA
|
||||
Chairperson
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Vice-Chairperson
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Executive Committee
|
16
|
0
|
16
|
0 %
|
MASA
|
||||
Chairperson
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Vice-Chairperson
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Executive Committee
|
7
|
4
|
11
|
36 %
|
NUEI (MAKERERE CHAPTER)
|
||||
Chairperson
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Vice-Chairperson
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0 %
|
Executive Committee
|
9
|
5
|
14
|
36 %
|
Overall
Totals
|
1,339
|
463
|
1,802
|
26
%
|
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