Exploring the prevalence of the sexually transmitted marks phenomenon in higher education institutions

Abstract

Countries steadfastly pursue academia as a necessary step towards socio-economic development, which places a mandate on institutions of higher learning to stir host-country economies through university deliverables. In Zimbabwe, this entails the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development’s ‘doctrine’ spelling out the philosophy of ‘Education 5.0’ which emphasises teaching/learning, research, community engagement, innovation, and commercialisation of goods and services. However, academic dishonesty, such as that through ‘sexually transmitted marks’ (STM), threatens the realisation of such mandates. Although the norm is that such sexual transactions are initiated by academics, evidence shows students also initiate such relationships. Consequently, efforts to eliminate this threat to academic integrity should not only focus on lecturers, but also be extended to students. This paper contributes towards unmasking experiences of STM between male lecturers and female students, female lecturers and male students, and female students and male students, as determined from former university students and university alumni in Bulawayo. Exposing these practices allows for open consultation and adoption of good practices from similar institutions worldwide.

A Sustainable Future for all Towards Reduction of Gender-Based-Violence and Femicide in Communities of Learning: A Strategic Perspective

“…Sexual harassment in learning communities also emerged as is an intractable social problem that is just as hard to prove as it is to eliminate (Daikpor, 2021;Mafa, Simango & Chisango, 2021); Ncube, 2019). The research conducted by Daikpor (2021) highlighted several challenges confronting Nigerian learning communities, amongst which are allegations of sexual harassment by male professors.…”

“…In Zimbabwe learning communities, Mafa and Simango (2021, p. 138) posit that while it remains uncontested that women and girls continue to face various kinds of sexual harassment at home, at workplaces and within societies, concerns over a trending phenomenon known as "thigh-for-marks" within university institutions have attracted close scrutiny from various interested stakeholders. Some of the findings by Ncube (2019) conducted in South Africa highlighted that, lecturers offer good marks to targeted female students in return for sexual favours. The transaction is preceded by 'sexting' to elicit response as confirmation the lecturer is a willing partner in the academic crime.…”

Academic contrapower sexual harassment in public universities in Zimbabwe

“…In the Zimbabwean context, research has been conducted in terms of sexual harassment of students by lecturers (Shumba and Matina 2002); sexual harassment of female students by male lecturers (Dhlomo et al 2012); and sexual favours in return for grades including contrapower transactions (Ncube 2019). There is little research evidence surrounding male academics' experiences of contrapower sexual harassment.…”