Nature and Perception of Sexist Humor at Great Zimbabwe University

Abstract

For the majority of women, university represents a time of hopefulness and opportunities such that gendered incidences questioning their academic merit poses a serious setback. Sexist humor is one such incident which communicates a message that females are irrelevant and insignificant. This article discusses the nature and perceptions of sexist humor on University campuses. The views on how students on campus perceive sexist humor are crucial for understanding students’ response and offer a clear understanding of what justifies and normalizes sexist humor. The paper analyzes how the use of language can be connected to sexism and violence. Using a mixed methodology for data collection at Great Zimbabwe University, the paper attempts to link language, sexual violence, misogyny, and sexism as well as chronicle the overall pattern of exclusion and marginalization of women in higher education settings. The findings of the paper present evidence that the institutional and intellectual cultures of educational institutions are permeated with sexual and gender dynamics that have become embedded and naturalized in popular thought. Normalization of verbal harassment contributes to muting victimized women, thus perpetuating a culture in which violence against women becomes part of the social milieu. Thus, this study concludes that while one may consider higher education institutions in Africa as safer spaces for women, these are highly contested terrains as misogyny through sexist humor, among other hindrances, has created an obstacle for women’s equal participation in higher education.

Gendered Acquiescence and Resistance(s) to Coercive Sexual Practices Among Female Students at a Zimbabwean University

“…Female students were particularly vulnerable to sexual violence, such as femicide/passion killings and sexual harassment. Similar findings have been reported in Zimbabwean universities, where female students face sexual intimidation and threats, sexual coercion and sexist humor and jokes (see Gaidzanwa & Manyeruke, 2001; Kanyemba & Naidu, 2019; Mlambo, 2014; Tlou, 2014). These studies demonstrate the extent to which university environments can be unsafe and potentially dangerous for female university students.…”

Sexist Humor as a Form of Sexual Violence and Prevention Effort From an Islamic Perspective

“…Sexist humor is a form of conveying a message to someone either verbally or nonverbally with the aim of insulting, demeaning, deceiving, stereotyping, and positioning individuals based on others, which results in harassment and criticism. The difference between sexist and gender jokes is subtle, but when jokes elevate one gender at the expense of the other, it has led to sexism (Kanyemba & Naidu, 2019).…”