Breaking the Silence: Confronting the Pandemic of Sexual Harassment in Ghana’s Educational Spaces

By Priscilla Adu Kwakye

The safety of educational spaces for young girls in Ghana is under threat. Recent reports have brought to light the distressing reality that a significant number of female students are enduring various forms of sexual harassment and abuse within the supposedly secure confines of their schools and hostels. According to studies, a staggering 14 percent of girls fall victim to sexual abuse, and a further 52 percent face gender-based violence, painting a harrowing picture of the challenges our young women are confronting.

I write this opinion piece not merely as a student journalist but as a survivor myself. The haunting memories of my encounters with sexual harassment in a seemingly safe hostel during my first semester at university continue to linger. My distressing experience, coupled with the stories shared by other brave young women, underscores the urgent need for greater awareness and concrete actions to address this pervasive issue.

My situation, like many others’, was initially shrouded in silence and fear. The supervisor of the hostel, once considered friendly and approachable, quickly turned into a predator, making unwelcome advances and subjecting me to unwarranted physical and emotional abuse. His intrusive presence in my personal space, unwanted touches, and threatening behavior left me feeling vulnerable and violated. Despite my attempts to seek support from the hostel management and authorities, my cries for help were met with indifference and apathy, leaving me alone to bear the burden of my traumatic experience.

Unfortunately, my story is not an isolated incident. As I shared my ordeal with my fellow residents, a disturbing pattern emerged. One of my peers recounted how a group of boys in her circle subjected her to constant harassment, threatening her with escalated abuse if she dared resist. Another shared her experience of being groped and verbally abused by a male student, who was known for such lewd behavior, highlighting the prevalence of a toxic culture that normalizes such misconduct.

The insidious impact of this kind of abuse goes far beyond the immediate trauma. It seeps into every aspect of a student’s life, jeopardizing their education, mental health, and overall well-being. The fear of reprisal and the stigma associated with speaking out often force victims into silence, perpetuating a culture of fear and injustice.

To combat this pervasive crisis, we need to foster an environment where victims are not only encouraged to come forward but are assured that their voices will be heard and respected. Educational institutions and hostel managements must adopt stringent policies to address sexual harassment promptly and effectively. It is imperative to initiate comprehensive awareness programs that educate students about consent, respect, and the consequences of sexual misconduct. By nurturing a culture of zero tolerance towards harassment, we can cultivate a safe and nurturing environment conducive to the growth and development of all students.

In Ghana sexual assaults of any form including rape, defilement, unnatural carnal knowledge and harassment are regarded by law as serious offences (i.e. first degree felony), that are liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not less than five years and not more than 25 years (Criminal Offences Act 1960, Act 29). In that respect, most universities have voluminous Anti-Sexual Harassment policy documents in name as part of their accreditation packages. The facts on the ground do not attest to any serious consideration being given to the offence.

It is essential for the Ghanaian government and university authorities to enforce the stringent laws and regulations that protect the rights and dignity of young women. Legal frameworks must be fortified to ensure that perpetrators of such heinous acts are held accountable for their actions and that justice is served for the victims.

Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police and NGOs at the grassroots level have created culturally sensitive workshop curriculums directed at sexual assault against women and children. They have been taught in over 150 primary schools across the country since 2010. These dynamic curriculums work toward deconstructing cultural victim blaming stigmas by defining domestic and sexual violence, educating pupils on the warning signs, and directing them toward safe avenues of counseling if assaulted.

In solidarity with all the brave individuals who have endured such trauma, I urge everyone to break the silence and speak up against sexual harassment. We must create a supportive community that empowers survivors and provides them with the resources and assistance they need to heal and reclaim their lives. It is disheartening however that after hours of searching online for support, I could not find a single phone number. And yet organizations are pivotal in providing essential support and guidance to those in need. The closest to a support centre is The Pearl Safe Haven, an NGO registered in Accra operating an emergency shelter for survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Their number is +233247293648. Remember, you are not alone, and you do not need to suffer in silence. Let us unite to create a future where every educational space is a sanctuary, free from the horrors of sexual harassment and abuse.