GCTU has reaffirmed its commitment to zero tolerance for sexual harassment with a one-day seminar held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Florence Onny Auditorium.
The seminar, which was held on the theme, “Building Safer Spaces Through Awareness, Accountability and Action,” was organized by the GCTU SRC Women’s Commission, in collaboration with the Human Resources and Organizational Development’s Gender Desk.
The seminar aimed at empowering change and addressing sexual harassment as part of SRC’s week celebration on the importance of creating a safe and respectful learning environment.
Speaking at the event, a Senior Lecturer at the GCTU Business School’s Department of Management Studies and President of the GCTU Ladies Association, Dr. Afia Nyarko Boakye emphasized that sexual harassment can affect both males and females and urged the student to be vigilant and watch out for one another to prevent such incidents. She also cautioned that false accusations of sexual harassment can occur and noted that there are punitive measures in place to address such instances, ensuring that the system is fair and just for all parties involved.
Dr. Boakye advised that students, especially the ladies, set clear boundaries for themselves and avoid imposing themselves on men, promoting mutual respect and healthy relationships.
She underscored the importance of seeking guidance and inspiration by having mentors who can offer valuable advice and support, looking up to positive role models and reading about inspiring individuals who can motivate and empower them. Dr. Boakye hinted that the University Management is set to launch a policy on sexual harassment soon which will provide a comprehensive framework for preventing and addressing such incidents on campus.
The Programme Officer, Department of Gender, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ms. Richlove Animah Berchie and a Resource Person indicated that sexual harassment is an unwelcome, offensive or persistent sexual advance, or request for sexual favours which makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. “Anyone can be a victim of sexual harassment and this may take place both inside or outside work premises or on campus.
This she said, can happen in person, online, or through other forms of communication,” she emphasized. She highlighted the forms of sexual harassment, including, physical conduct, verbal conduct and non-verbal/psychological conduct.
The C.E.O of Let Me Be a Woman, Ms. Zoe Louise and a Resource Person noted that women are often the primary victims of sexual harassment, therefore empowering women through education, awareness and support systems helps them recoganize and respond to harassment more effectively. “An inherently healthy and wholesome society is a self-fulfilling prophecy for reduced or eliminated occurrences of sexual harassment,” Miss Louise remarked.
A Clinical Psychologist, at the GCTU Counseling Unit, Ms. Mina Wilson, highlighted the significance of mental health, clarifying that it encompasses the overall well-being, including, emotional, psychological and social aspects. “Mental health is not just about insanity or madness. It is about how you are doing and feeling, how you think and make decisions and how you relate to others. Your mental health affects everything you do, especially as students,” Ms. Wilson elaborated.
She further stressed the impact of sexual harassment on mental health, noting that it instills fear, increases stress and frustration and can have long-lasting effects on victims. Ms. Wilson encouraged students to seek support when needed, urging them to visit the Counseling Unit when facing challenges, to ensure their mental wellbeing and receive the necessary guidance.
Earlier, at the event, the Women’s Commissioner of the Ghana Muslim Students Association (GMSA), GCTU branch, Mardiyyah Muhammad underscored the importance of shedding light on the various forms of sexual harassment, their impact on victims and the steps that can be taken to create a safer, more supportive environment for everyone.“Let us work together to raise awareness, challenge the stigma surrounding this issue and promote a culture of respect and understanding,” she said.
