Abstract
Purpose: The study sought to investigate the prevalence of sexual harassment of female students in public secondary schools in Dagoretti District in Nairobi County, the possible causes of sexual harassment on female students, the mechanisms which exist to handle sexual harassment issues and the strategies which can be put in place to curb sexual harassment of female students in public secondary schools in Dagoretti District.Methodology: The study adopted mixed paradigms (qualitative and quantitative research paradigms) in order to present a more comprehensive view of the prevalence of sexual harassment of female students in Dagoretti District. Therefore, the study used descriptive survey and phenomenology research design.Results: The study found out that sexual harassment of female students in schools under study by male teachers and male students exist. The study also established that both perpetrators and victims are accountable for the harassment, that is, causes of sexual harassment of female students were attributed to both victims and perpetrators. It was also revealed that the major ways of combating sexual harassment were empowering young women to report, stiff punishment for offenders and awareness campaigns, adequate security and decent dressing of female students. Strategies for curbing sexual harassment included students’ education about harassment, development of sexual harassment policy in schools, establishing workshops and meetings, empowering students and creating a harassment-free school environment.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: In order to curb sexual harassment of female students in schools the Ministry of Education should mainstreams policies that address sexual harassment at all educational levels. Teachers Service Commission on the other hand should offer stiff punishment to offenders such as teachers by excluding them from the service.
Highlights
1.1 Background to the StudyThe focus of the study was on the assessment of the prevalence of sexual harassment of female students in public secondary schools in Dagoretti District, Kenya
All schools need to have a well-publicized sexual harassment policy which clearly states all the behaviors which constitute to sexual harassment, the right procedures for reporting where the victims should not be victimized in instances where report those in authority, and the persons to whom to report to in case one is sexually harassed, and the action to be taken against perpetrators
Sexual harassment of female students is experienced in public secondary schools in Dagoretti District where students mostly experience physical, verbal and non-verbal sexual harassment perpetrated mostly by males
Summary
The study found out that sexual harassment of female students in schools under study by male teachers and male students exist. The study established that both perpetrators and victims are accountable for the harassment, that is, causes of sexual harassment of female students were attributed to both victims and perpetrators. It was revealed that the major ways of combating sexual harassment were empowering young women to report, stiff punishment for offenders and awareness campaigns, adequate security and decent dressing of female students. Strategies for curbing sexual harassment included students’ education about harassment, development of sexual harassment policy in schools, establishing workshops and meetings, empowering students and creating a harassment-free school environment. Practice and policy: In order to curb sexual harassment of female students in schools the Ministry of Education should mainstreams policies that address sexual harassment at all educational levels.
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