Efforts for Institutional Unification Against Sexual Harassment

17 Tetor 2024
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Representatives from various domestic and international institutions, organizations, media outlets, and civil society gathered to discuss the prevention of sexual harassment in public administration. 

The conference, organized by the Office for Good Governance within the Prime Minister’s Office, featured several discussion panels focused on preventing sexual harassment, enforcing existing legislation, and implementing response mechanisms against such occurrences.

In 2020, the government adopted a policy against sexual harassment in public administration bodies in Kosovo, aiming to create a workplace free from discrimination and sexual harassment.

The University of Prishtina was represented at the event by Professor Njomza Llullaku from the Department of Social Work in the Faculty of Philosophy. She presented the findings of a study on sexual harassment at the University of Prishtina from the perspective of students:

"For the first time, the University of Prishtina conducted a comprehensive study across all 14 academic units, gathering students' perceptions and experiences of sexual harassment. The findings of this study will enable us to improve and strengthen existing policies and to address students' safety and well-being needs more effectively," said Llullaku during the conference.

The research, conducted by Professor Llullaku in collaboration with Drita Hyseni, the officer for Prevention and Protection Against Harassment, involved 1,035 students—73.9% female and 20.4% male. The results showed that 10.4% of respondents had experienced sexual harassment, while 31.0% of students reported awareness of cases of sexual harassment on campus.

According to the research, of all reported incidents of sexual harassment experienced by respondents, 48.4% were perpetrated by professors or teaching assistants, 34.4% by students, and 7.4% by administrative staff.

The survey also revealed that 64.3% of respondents knew of the University of Prishtina's regulation preventing harassment, and 40.4% knew the mechanisms for reporting potential harassment.

The University of Prishtina's regulation on the prevention and protection against sexual harassment outlines the prohibition and penalties for such behavior. According to the regulation, victims can report cases to the harassment prevention officer, which the Ethics Council then reviews.

In cases where harassment is confirmed, the Council can issue a suspension warning, temporarily suspend the perpetrator without pay, or terminate the perpetrator's employment if they are a University employee. If the perpetrator is a student, they may be suspended, expelled for a year, or permanently removed from the University.

In addition to the research and regulation, an awareness campaign has been conducted within the academic units of the University of Prishtina, using lectures and brochures to inform students about how to report potential sexual harassment.

The University of Prishtina encourages all staff and students to prevent sexual harassment and other forms of harassment and to report incidents if they experience or become aware of them.