CAMFED Malawi launches tertiary safeguarding handbook to protect female students
CAMFED Malawi has launched a Tertiary Safeguarding Handbook aimed at protecting female students in public and private universities and colleges from abuse, harassment and exploitation.
Speaking during the launch in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Minister of Education, Science and Technology Bright Msaka said government remains committed to ensuring that students learn in safe environments free from abuse, harassment and manipulation.
Msaka commended CAMFED for supporting the publication of the handbook, which has already been distributed to universities and colleges across the country.
He said the handbook will help female students understand what constitutes inappropriate behaviour and abuse, while providing guidance on how to report such cases and continue with their studies without disruption.
A third-year Agricultural Economics student at LUANAR, Tadala Saidi, described the handbook as timely, saying many students face challenges and risks during their academic journey.
According to Saidi, the resource will enable students to identify behaviours they may have previously considered normal, but are in fact unacceptable, and guide them on where and how to seek help.
CAMFED Chief Executive Officer Susan Msilika said the handbook outlines the various risks faced by female students on campus, including abuse, harassment and other threats to their safety.
She emphasized the importance of raising awareness among students about these risks, preventive measures and the need to report abuse instead of suffering in silence.
Msilika noted that some of the common forms of abuse experienced by female students include sexual exploitation by both fellow students and lecturers, as well as financial abuse.
She said CAMFED hopes the handbook will empower young women in all public and private tertiary institutions to recognize abuse and confidently report it.
Msilika added that the organization is working closely with universities and colleges to ensure victims of abuse receive the necessary support.
The launch of the Tertiary Safeguarding Handbook brought together representatives from public and private universities and colleges from across Malawi.
