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 contemporary times; it is being brought to the fore as it has been on the increase over the years. In the search for modernity, which Dikecligil (1998) defines as a paradigm that encompasses democracy in politics, capitalism in the economy, positivism in science, and so on, seems to have encouraged its escalation in impoverished civilizations via acculturation. Modernity originated with the Enlightenment and represents a break with the past. It typically necessitates a transition from conventional to contemporary. The ideas inherent in the capitalist economy pushed women to renounce their traditional duties in the home in exchange for equal employment opportunities with men (Kofi, 2010).

Prior to acculturation, women's positions in society were confined to their husbands' households. They were doing a good job at home, caring for the youngsters and the elderly (Anugwom et al., 2010). Traditional civilizations must not have had severe difficulties with sexual harassment at that time since women's responsibilities were constrained. Women are not only blamed for lacking the wisdom, knowledge, and competence required to operate any company effectively by males when they join work organizations; they are also not seen as equal partners and serious employees. Instead, they are seen as sexual objects to be gratified (Kofi, 2010). Unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conducts of a sexual nature are defined as sexual harassment when submission to or rejection of such conducts adversely affects a person's employment or education, unreasonably interferes with a person's work or educational performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment (2011).

The level to which this issue is endemic in professional environments is endemic, according to Roberts and Mann (2006), but this research restricts its purview to the academic arena, where 20-30 percent of all college women have been sexually harassed (Gervasio & Ruckdeschel, 1992). Sexual harassment occurs in this setting when a harasser, generally a male instructor, uses his position to extort or gain an illicit sexual connection from female pupils. Although previous research have shown that no one gender is essentially immune to this social disease according to Terpstra and Cook (1985), since it affects both men and women, it is also clear from the literature that women are more impacted than males (Okoro & Osawemen, 2005)

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Sexual harassment is a major challenge faced by students in universities, especially female students who have been preyed on by unscrupulous and irresponsible lecturers. According to a news report in The Punch (2021), the management of FUOYE announced the suspension of a lecturer in their theatre and media arts department over an alleged sexual harassment. This might not even be the only case of the occurrence but this is the only case that has been reported. These students who have been sexually harassed are then forced to remain silent and this experience alone can lead to certain psychological challenges for the student and even impair with their academic performance. For a while now, the issue of sexual harassment has been overlooked until recent times where the issue is being uncovered.

This study seeks to examine the prevalence Sexual Harassment of Lecturers’ on Students in Federal University of Oye Ekiti.

1.3       OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The primary aim of this study is to examine the prevalence Sexual Harassment of Lecturers’ on Students in Federal University of Oye Ekiti. Thus, the following objectives:

1. To determine the extent of lecturers’ sexual harassment on students of FUOYE.

2. To investigate the effects of these harassment on the lives of the students of FUOYE.

3. To proffer solutions to bring an end to sexual harassment in Nigerian universities.

1.4       RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following questions guide this study;

1. What is the extent of lecturers’ sexual harassment on students of FUOYE?

2. What are the effects of these harassments on the lives of the students of FUOYE?

3. What are the solutions to bring an end to sexual harassments in Nigerian universities?

1.5       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be significant to not just FUOYE but all Nigerian universities as it will bring to light the rate at which the issue of sexual harassment on students has been on the increase for a while. It will also be helpful as it will provide solutions that can be put in place to prevent such harassments from repeating itself. It will also be an addition to the academic world as it will provide other scholars with materials to indulge themselves in further research or delve deeper and broaden the scope of this study.

1.6       SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study will be limited to only FUOYE because looking at all the universities in Nigeria will be a topic too broad for the researcher to bring to completion within the stipulated time.

1.7       LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The only limitation faced by the researcher during the course of this study was a lack of funds.

1.8       DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. SEXUAL HARASSMENT: It is sexually inappropriate conduct that, if permitted to continue, might result in a QUID PRO QUO and/or a hostile work environment for the student.

2. LECTURER: A person who gives lectures, especially as an occupation at a university or college of higher education.

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