Gendered Experiences in Academia: Female University Students' Views on Harassment

Abstract

Gendered Experiences in Academia refer to the ways in which individuals experience higher education differently based on their gender. These experiences are shaped by societal norms, institutional structures, and cultural expectations. Women often face challenges such as gender discrimination, harassment, unequal opportunities, and biases in academic and professional advancement. Harassment is rampant in higher education systems around the world, and it has a negative effect on female students, institutions, and society as well in Pakistan. The aim of the study was to know general perception of female students about harassment. The objectives of this study were to know the various types and effects of harassment and to determine the family and community response towards female harassment. This study used quantitative approach and distributed the questionnaires among 120 female students of 04 public and private sector universities from Islamabad. The data were analyzed using SPSS and come up with descriptive statistics and correlation testing. Current research findings revealed that 85% students responded positively to harassment occurrences exist in universities. Female students were subjected to various forms and consequences of abuse, which resulted in a high level of agreement with harassment. Study respondents reported being harassed in universities. The findings of the study revealed that most female university students were harassed by faculty members/staff and administration. It is concluded that addressing these disparities requires institutional policies promoting gender equity, awareness programs, and support systems to create an inclusive academic environment. The findings of this study could help decision-makers in organizations foster improved protection in universities by implementing anti-harassment education policies, thus it can help reducing harassment and its negative consequences in academia.