PREVALENCE OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF LECTURERS’ ON STUDENTS IN NIGERIA UNIVERSITIES (A CASE STUDY OF FUOYE)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Sexual harassment has always existed in universities; however, in modern times, it is being brought to the forefront due to an increase in recent years. In the quest for modernity, which Dikecligil (1998) defines as a paradigm that includes democracy in politics, capitalism in the economy, positivism in science, and so on, acculturation appears to have aided its spread in impoverished civilizations. Modernity emerged as a result of the Enlightenment and represents a break with the past. It usually necessitates a transition from traditional to modern. The ideas inherent in the capitalist economy compelled women to abandon traditional domestic duties in exchange for equal employment opportunities with men (Kofi, 2010).
Prior to acculturation, women’s roles in society were limited to domestic work. husbands’ households. They were doing an excellent job at home, caring for the children and the elderly (Anugwom et al., 2010). Because women’s responsibilities were limited at the time, traditional civilizations must not have had severe problems with sexual harassment. When women join work organizations, they are not only blamed for lacking the wisdom, knowledge, and competence required to operate any company effectively; they are also not seen as equal partners and serious employees. They are instead viewed as sexual objects to be gratified (Kofi, 2010). Sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical sexual conducts that have a negative impact on a person’s employment or education.
interfering with a person’s work or educational performance unreasonably, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment (2011).
According to Roberts and Mann (2006), this issue is endemic in professional settings, but this study limits its scope to the academic arena, where 20-30% of all college women have been sexually harassed (Gervasio & Ruckdeschel, 1992). In this setting, sexual harassment occurs when a harasser, typically a male instructor, uses his position to extort or gain an illicit sexual connection from female students. Although previous research has shown that no one gender is essentially immune to this social disease, according to Terpstra and Cook (1985), it is also clear from the literature that it affects both men and women.
that females are more affected than males (Okoro & Osawemen, 2005)
1.2 DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM
Sexual harassment is a major issue for university students, particularly female students who have been preyed on by unscrupulous and irresponsible lecturers. According to a news report in The Punch (2021), FUOYE’s management announced the suspension of a lecturer in their theatre and media arts department due to allegations of sexual harassment. This may not be the only instance of the occurrence, but it is the only one that has been reported. These students who have been sexually harassed are then forced to remain silent, and this experience alone can cause psychological difficulties and even impair academic performance. For
For a long time, the issue of sexual harassment was overlooked, until recently, when it was brought to light.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of Sexual Harassment of Lecturers on Students at the Federal University of Oye Ekiti.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The primary goal of this research is to investigate the prevalence of sexual harassment by lecturers on students at the Federal University of Oye Ekiti. As a result, the following goals:
1. Determine the extent of sexual harassment by lecturers on FUOYE students.
2. To look into the effects of this harassment on the lives of FUOYE students.
3. Propose solutions to end sexual harassment in Nigerian universities.
1.4 QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH
This research is guided by the following questions:
1. What
What is the extent of FUOYE lecturers’ sexual harassment of students?
2. What are the consequences of these harassments on the lives of FUOYE students?
3. What solutions are there to end sexual harassment in Nigerian universities?
1.5 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY
This study will be significant not only to FUOYE but to all Nigerian universities because it will highlight the rate at which sexual harassment on campus has been on the rise for some time. It will also be beneficial because it will provide solutions that can be implemented to prevent such harassments from occurring again. It will also benefit the academic world by providing other scholars with
materials to delve deeper and broaden the scope of this study.
1.6 THE STUDY’S OBJECTIVE
This study will be limited to FUOYE because looking at all of Nigeria’s universities would be too broad for the researcher to cover in the time allotted.
1.7 THE STUDY’S LIMITATIONS
The researcher’s only limitation during the course of this study was a lack of funds.
1.8 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
1. SEXUAL HARASSMENT: This is sexually inappropriate behavior that, if tolerated, may result in a QUID PRO QUO and/or a hostile work environment for the student.
2. LECTURER: A person who gives lectures, typically as a job at a university or college.
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