Molly Baker, Cornell University
“Perceptions of Sexual Harassment Amongst Students at the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon”
Bio: Molly Baker is a senior at Cornell University, majoring in Development Sociology. She first became interested in international development issues when attending a conference on international diplomacy during her junior year in high school. Since then, she has lived in France as an exchange student and studied abroad in Cameroon, where she conducted her research on sexual harassment. After she graduates she would like to return to West Africa to work in the development field, either continuing with her research or volunteering with the Peace Corps. During her free time, she likes to read, take walks and go to concerts. She is also a part of many clubs at Cornell, including the Women’s Resource Center and the Social Business Consulting club.
Abstract: Sexual harassment undermines the dignity of person, making that person feel as though they have nothing to offer to a situation but their bodies. In Cameroon, I became aware of the problem of sexual harassment within the university setting. From conversations with university students, the researcher found the problem is so prevalent that it has even been given a name, “sexually-transmitted grades.” The paper presents information found from research by 100 women surveyed and interviews with fifteen additional women at the University of Yaoundé. The data was then compiled in an attempt to define sexual harassment, as well as gauge its prevalence and the key players in a relationship where sexual harassment exists. In addition to surveying and interviewing students, members of government and non-governmental organizations and professors were interviewed.
