UEW academic team successfully obtains SDGF Grant, US$498,000 to combat Sexual Coercion and Harassment faced by Students With Disabilities
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has achieved a significant milestone as a team of four (4) academics secured a substantial research grant totaling US$498,000 from the Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDGF).
This grant, spanning a duration of two years, will fuel an extensive project aimed at addressing the prevalent issue of sexual coercion and harassment experienced by students with disabilities within Ghanaian tertiary institutions.
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Heading this crucial initiative is Dr. Fred Yao Gbagbo, serving as the Principal Investigator, with support from co-investigators Ms. Gifty Nana Yaa Rockson, Dr. Frank Quansah, and Dr. Richard Osei Agjei.
Their research endeavor, titled “Examining Sexual Coercion and Harassment of Students with Disabilities in Tertiary Institutions in Ghana: An Interventional Study,” seeks to cast light on a critical yet often overlooked facet of campus life.
The study focuses on comprehending the prevalence of sexual coercion and harassment among students with diverse disabilities, encompassing blindness, deafness, hard hearing, and physical impairment. Building upon insights gained from an initial pilot study conducted at a single public university, the team aims to broaden its investigation to multiple public universities to inform policy and program decisions.
The researchers have delineated key objectives for their study, including identifying the global prevalence of sexual coercion and harassment among university students with disabilities, pinpointing the specific category of persons with disabilities (PWDs) most vulnerable to such incidents, characterizing the individuals perpetrating these acts, evaluating existing systems within tertiary institutions to combat such harassment, and exploring the coping strategies adopted by students with disabilities.
The researchers will employ the Confluence Model, which proposes two routes independently predicting sexual coercion. The model delves into hostile masculinity, characterized by excessive conformity to conventional male gender norms, and the use of force to fulfill sexual desires. The study will encompass various forms of coercion, including forced kissing, unwanted touching, sexual rumors, and other situations that students with disabilities may face.
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Data collection and analysis will employ an explanatory mixed-method approach, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the issue without altering participants’ perspectives. The study aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically targeting the goal of reducing inequality among all people.
This research is poised to contribute significantly to the global understanding of the experiences of persons with disabilities in tertiary institutions, particularly regarding sexual coercion and harassment. The implications of their findings could pave the way for impactful policy changes and interventions to create safer and more inclusive educational environments.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
