During this year’s International Women’s Day which falls on March 7, University of Livingstonia (Unilia) students will speak out on the issue of sex for grades at the university.
Unilia, Students Union Speaker, Tanaka Chirombo said, the university will discuss the issue of ‘sexually transmitted grades’ where female students are rewarded with good grades in exchange with sexual services to lecturers.
Chirombo told Malawi News Agency (MANA) the issue of exchanging good grades for sex is a huge problem at the university.
“It’s a huge problem as there is so much silence from the students on these issues due to fear of being withdrawn from school,” he said.
He added that during the event dubbed ‘HerDay Unila’, there will be a public lecture and debate on the issue of sexually transmitted grades in Malawi.
“We will also introduce the She Decides and He4She concepts,” he said.
Chirombo said the event would see the launch of Unilia Student Staff Policy and promote awareness on how best female students could utilize their rights to overcome various abuses.
Founder and Executive Director for Mzuzu E-Hub, Wangiwe Kambuzi said HerDay Unilia comes in handy at a time when Malawian societies celebrate women and their contribution towards socioeconomic development.
“I expect to see more young women at the event and I hope they will get inspired to face the odds and work on bettering themselves,” she said.
Kambuzi said the issue of sexually transmitted grades could end only if students are well equipped on how to fight for their rights.
“We need to educate students on their rights for them to speak out if they find themselves in such situations,” she added.
This year’s global theme for International Women’s Day celebrations is “I Am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”.
By Ennala Mnyenyembe – MANA
