The Diversity Unit conducted a two day workshop aiming at building capacity to members of College gender desk. Some members of gender desk from Mwalimu Nyerere Academy were also invited.

The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Staricko Meshack and Emanuel Maketa, who are Senior Community Officers from Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Special Groups.

In her opening speech, the Head of Diversity unit, Dr. Ikupa Moses requested the participants to fully attend the workshop and receive the required ‘workshop package’.

In his presentation, Mr. Staricko said members of gender desk have to be enriched with general conceptualization of sexuality education, counselling, referrals and gender based violence (GBV) register.

He further said the establishment of gender desks is a government directive through the Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Special Group that requires all public institutions to establish gender desks. He said the desks are managed by members of gender desks, who will be administering issues related to gender-based violence.

The facilitator, Mr. Emanuel Maketa asserted that sexual harassment is likely to cause devastating physical and psychological injuries of an individual leading to depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, lack of confidence, morale and poor performance of the victim.

Mr. Maketa outlined some of features gender violence including rape, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, unwanted jokes, innuendoes and offending language. Others include uninvited touches, kisses, lifting up skirts, flicking bra, smutty jokes and making threats in return for sexual favours.

In his presentation, Mr. Staricko highlighted sections of policies and laws that relate to sexual harassment. He said the preventive and combating Corruption Act No. 11 of 2007, states that:

“Any person being in a person of power or authority, who in the exercise of his authority demands or impose sexual favors, or any other favor on any person as a condition for giving employment, a promotion, a right, a privilege or any preferential treatment, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five million shillings, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both.” Mr. Staricko Meshack emphasized.

Responding to various issues, the Deputy Principal (PFA), Dr. Method Samwel on behalf of the College Principal, insisted on the responsibilities of members of gender desk including managing sexual corruption, providing education about sexual harassment and keeping confidentiality.

The 03 plus Focal Person, Dr. Nkuba Mabula congratulated the participants for attending the workshop. He requested members of the gender desk to understand concepts and principles underlying gender based violence, their consequences and survivor support services needed for higher learning institutions.