Sexual Corruption: A Witch Who Does Not Discriminate

THERE YOU WILL BE: SEVERAL gender equality and rights stakeholders compare sexual corruption to a witch: it does not discriminate against anyone. While women are often the primary victims, men and children are also affected in various sectors, including politics, transport, education and even some religious institutions.

On November 3, 2021, the Jamii Forum highlighted that sexual harassment is rampant in the health care system, with dire consequences for schoolgirls, students and women seeking confidential abortion services when financial resources are inadequate.

This shows that women, especially students and newsroom practitioners, often face requests for sexual favors from unethical teachers, trainers and others in various fields, including newsrooms, when they seek internships or information.

The problem extends to those seeking abortions due to sexual coercion. In a statement to journalists on August 31, 2024 in Dar es Salaam, Rebecca Gyumi, executive director of the Msichana Initiative, stressed that sexual corruption is indiscriminate and affects everyone, from individuals seeking services to politicians and students in educational institutions.

Stakeholders argue that unlike consensual sex work, where terms are agreed upon by mutual consent, sexual corruption occurs without boundaries and without discrimination.

According to the Anti-Corruption Act No. 11 of 2007, Section 25, soliciting or offering sexual favours for employment, promotion or services is punishable under the Economic Sabotage Act, with penalties including fines, imprisonment or both. To address gender-based violence in educational institutions and workplaces, which particularly affects female students, the Tanzania Police Force launched the ‘Tuwaambie Kabla Hawajaharibiwa’ campaign. The initiative aims to create awareness and empower students to recognise and report signs of gender-based violence, including sexual corruption.

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Dr. Christina Onyango, Coordinator of the Training for Police Officers in the Ilala Special Police Zone, notes that the campaign will focus on the understanding, impact and prevention of gender-based violence, with special emphasis on sexual corruption in secondary and higher education institutions.

Human rights and gender equality advocates say victims of sexual harassment, including employees and students on internships, often do not report incidents due to fear of reprisals or concerns about job security.

Mary Ndaro from the Network Against Sexual Harassment in Tanzania highlights that students and employees who experience such problems often face a number of barriers to reporting, including fear of academic or work-related repercussions.

Pastor Kizitto Noya of Ebenezer Gospel Church (Kisima cha Uzima), Kijichi, Dar es Salaam, sees sexual corruption as a sin that defiles the ‘Temple of God’ with complacency. He urges victims to be courageous in defending their rights and reporting to the right authorities to ensure justice and safety.

Dr Rose Reuben, TAMWA’s Executive Director, said: “The main victims of sexual corruption in newsrooms are those seeking internships, volunteers and new employees.” A recent TAMWA survey found that 48 out of 100 journalists without formal employment reported having experienced sexual harassment in media organisations, a serious problem.

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According to a 2020 research report by the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) on sexual harassment in higher education institutions, including the University of Dar es Salaam and the University of Dodoma, the causes of sexual corruption in universities include inadequate student facilities, such as housing and loans, and unprofessional employment practices.

Some believe that the threats of certain faculty members and the complacency of some female students contribute to the perpetuation of sexual corruption in universities.

However, Martha Malyi, an assistant lecturer in the Department of Public Communication at Tumaini University Dar es Salaam (DarTU), explains that regulations at some universities, including hers, require lecturers to report any romantic or marital relationships with students.

The university then arranges for the professor to teach the students only after they graduate. Sexual corruption in media organizations can derail the careers of promising journalists, leaving only those who manage to secure a job through corruption, despite their limited professional skills. One source notes: “Sexual corruption in media schools and newsrooms reduces efficiency and productivity, accelerates the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and severely impacts the mental health of victims, leading to unsafe abortions.”

Dr. Rose adds: “Hiring and promoting employees who have been procured through sexual corruption, rather than on merit, results in reduced productivity and financial losses for media organizations. It also contributes to the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, which incur costs for treatment and even funerals.” Many experts suggest that setting up a gender desk in every journalism school or college could be an important measure to combat sexual harassment and other forms of abuse.

Proper training on the functions of the agency and how to gather evidence against such violations can be vital in this effort. Salome Kitomari, chairperson of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISATAN), stresses the importance of empowering trainee journalists to recognize their own worth and maintain independence.

She argues that students can avoid situations where they could be exploited or seen as sexual objects. Nancy Macha, coordinator of the Gender Desk at Dar es Salaam University of Technology (DarTU), stresses that students who want to effectively report abuse in universities and newsrooms need assurance of their safety and confidence that their concerns will be taken seriously.

“Many are hesitant to report due to shame and uncertainty about their safety at work or in their academic environment,” she notes. Both Nancy and Salome recommend that newsrooms and universities implement clear policies, guidelines, and rules regarding sexual misconduct and other forms of gender-based violence.

These policies should be prominently displayed to all concerned. Danford Kitwana, DarTU Practical Training Manager, says he has heard from several students about disturbing experiences in some newsrooms.

He reports that if a student refuses to engage in sexual relations, her professional opportunities may be jeopardized. Some victims are even promised an autograph in exchange for cooperation.

“Without a strong social value system, some lecturers and newsroom leaders exploit students, which is morally, health-wise, academically and psychologically dangerous,” says Kitwana, who is also an assistant professor at DarTU. The consequences of sexual harassment for university students, including those studying journalism, often include emotional distress and a decrease in academic focus.

Mary Kafyome, an assistant lecturer at the Department of Arts and Communication at the University of Dodoma (UDOM), explains that many students do not report incidents of sexual misconduct because they are unsure where to report it or because they fear academic repercussions.

“Others worry that those who demand sexual favors could jeopardize their academic performance,” says Kafyome. She also notes that the lack of supportive and confidential reporting channels contributes to the silence and secrecy surrounding these issues. Kafyome advocates for gender desks in colleges to provide education on the nature and implications of sexual misconduct, evidence gathering, and reporting procedures. “There should be confidential reporting methods for such incidents and posters put up to make it clear that sexual misconduct is unacceptable at the institution,” she suggests.

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Furthermore, Kafyome emphasizes the importance of gender desks that collaborate with organizations that oppose violence, such as Tamwa, the Tanzania Gender Network (TGNP) and the Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA). Such partnerships can enhance educational efforts and support for students.

A recent report by the National Committee for the Study of Education and Culture underscores the need for heightened vigilance among students. It urges students to focus on their studies, uphold moral values, resist manipulation, break their silence when their rights are threatened, and take appropriate action when those rights are compromised.