Karachi: Students at Shaheed Benazir University in Shaheed Benazirabad have been raising concerns about harassment by their teachers, with their complaints seemingly going unnoticed.
Finally, students have decided to break their silence and address the issue of harassment, which is adversely affecting their education and overall well-being. A rally on Anti-Harassment and raising awareness about harassment was led by Jeay Sindh Students’ Federation to educate their students about this problem and how to confront it on September 13, 2023, at Shaheed Benazir University, Shaheed Benazirabad.
In universities across Sindh, including Pakistan, there have been reports of harassment and sexual harassment. Tragically, some female students are reported to have lost their lives as a result of the harassment they endured. Despite these distressing incidents, the government has yet to establish safety measures or create a secure environment where both girls and boys can feel protected.
The Rise News approached students at the university, who spoke with us on the condition of anonymity out of fear of academic repercussions. In classrooms, teachers have been using threatening language toward female students who come from remote areas of the province to pursue their education. Instead of encouragement, these students face insults and threats from teachers who warn them that any interaction with boys will result in punishment.
Both girls and boys hesitate to ask questions, as doing so would risk their names being noted and possibly failing their exams.
One girl shared her personal experience of harassment but confessed that she lacked the courage to speak out, fearing that should would not be understood if she confided in her family. Furthermore, teachers are reported to blackmail students for not awarding them higher grades.
Students attempted to raise their concerns with the university administration regarding teacher harassment, but their efforts have gone unanswered. Instead, the university administration has discouraged them from bringing such complaints forward.
At the university level, students do not feel they are receiving an education that fosters freedom of expression or the ability to engage in student politics. This leaves them with the impression that their smaller schools provided a more conducive environment where they could freely express their thoughts and opinions.
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