Prevalence, perceived contributing factors and awareness of strategies to address sexual harassment among male undergraduate students of Makerere University

Abstract

Sexual harassment is a global problem in all education systems and affects student’s psychological, physical and mental wellbeing as well as their academic performance. Factors such as low socioeconomic status, power imbalances, social expectations, a culture of silence and ineffective institutional support systems are key features that drive sexual harassment among male undergraduate students. With the predominant cultural and society discourse that males are always the perpetrators due to their masculinity and women as the victims, there has been increasing culture of silence among the male students for fear to be seen as not man enough yet they are equally victims. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the prevalence, contributing factors and awareness of strategies to address sexual harassment among male undergraduate students in Makerere University. The study employed a quantitative design with a cross-sectional method. 325 male undergraduate students from the nine colleges and two schools in Makerere University participated in this study. Data was collected using an online questionnaire that included questions designed to capture information on the prevalence of sexual harassment, perceived contributing factors and awareness of strategies to address harassment. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25 and presented as figures and percentages. The findings revealed a high prevalence rate of 43%, with indecent exposure, unwelcome sexual comments, and online harassment as the most commonly reported forms. Despite the severity, only 3.1% of victims reported incidents, primarily due to fear of stigma, lack of trust in institutional response, and limited awareness of reporting mechanisms. The majority of perpetrators were fellow students, underscoring the role of peer group dynamics and masculinity norms in perpetuating harassment. Additionally, 72.7% of respondents were unaware of existing university policies and support services, highlighting a significant gap in communication and implementation. Male undergraduate students at Makerere University are a vulnerable yet underrecognized group, calling for urgent and inclusive interventions such as enhanced awareness campaigns, male-focused support systems, and stronger enforcement of anti-harassment policies.