In 2015, with funding from UNESCO, FSNT conducted the first-ever National Baseline Survey on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Harassment (SH) in Zimbabwe’s tertiary education institutions. The study spanned 21 institutions across all 10 provinces, collecting data from over 3,400 students and staff in universities, polytechnics, and teachers’ colleges.

Key findings:

• An alarming 94% of female students reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment.
• Common forms included unwanted physical contact, verbal abuse, offers of favors in exchange for sex, and coerced sexual relationships.
• Most incidents went unreported due to fear of stigma, lack of institutional support, and a culture of normalization on campuses.

The study also highlighted systemic challenges such as:

• Absence or weak enforcement of sexual harassment policies.
• A culture of transactional relationships fueled by economic hardship.
• Limited psychosocial support and student-friendly reporting mechanisms.

In response, FSNT developed the Sexual Harassment Monitoring Mechanism (SHMM)—a policy accountability tool designed to help institutions track and address incidents of harassment more effectively.

This baseline study laid the foundation for all future interventions and reforms led by FSNT. It marked a bold step in holding institutions accountable and pushing for campus environments where every student—especially young women—can thrive in safety and dignity.