Ending Gender Based Violence and Harassment in the World of Work

No one should have to risk their safety or dignity to put food on the table. Yet every day, workers around the world are subjected to sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a fundamental violation of human rights. It is an expression of gender-based discrimination and unequal power relations between men and women. GBV in the world of work includes, but is not limited to, sexual violence in all of its forms, including sexual harassment as it is legally defined, as well as stalking behaviours, assault and rape, trafficking, coercion, and restrictions on freedom of movement that occur while at work or on the way to and from work.

While GBV impacts all workers, women suffer at a much higher rate than men. Men can and do experience GBV in the world of work, particularly relating to sexual identity and gender expression. Transgender individuals in particular face high levels of violence. This reflects the fact that GBV stems from a social and political hierarchy that values men and enforces a traditional and rigid definition of masculinity as an expression of power and prestige. There is a link between GBV, the manner in which women are de-valued in the workplace and how some men are socialised to feel entitled to women’s bodies and expect admiration and compliance.

Everyone has a role to play in breaking down these harmful stereotypes and creating equitable, respectful communities and when it comes to addressing how this issue plays out in the workplace, unions have a unique and powerful role to play. At base, gender-based violence in the world of work including unwanted touching, sexual comments, requests for sexual favours and even sexual assault is not about sex, but about power. Unions are dedicated to shifting power relationships and creating more equitable and fair workplaces.

Economic insecurity, particularly dangerous/high risk and low-wage employment, makes workers more vulnerable to harassment. Women often make up the majority of part-time and temporary workers in most countries, as well as the majority of low-paid workers and those earning minimum wages. Many of these workers live from pay-cheque to pay-cheque and cannot afford even a brief break in employment, making them less likely to report abuse.

Confronting violence and harassment at work requires addressing the underlying conditions that drive abuse, including worker organizing to win living wages, job security and protection from retaliation.

What is MISA doing to end violence at workplaces?

• MISA has a progressive Gender Equality Policy which governs its interactions with all its stakeholders.
• Continue to support and implement leadership and mentoring initiatives through training, the Women’s Forum and Young Workers’ Forum to encourage and support female employees to take up leadership positions in organizations. This will encourage our members to voice the issues of gender based violence at their workplaces.
• Negotiate with employers and represent our members to ensure that our members are protected from sexual harassment, bullying and violence at work.
• Empower our members through workplace awareness campaigns and the Motor Industry Gender Equality project to speak out against bullying and violence.
• We partner and affiliate with organisations (nationally and internationally), authority, etc., as well as participate in the International Worker’s Organisation, the International Labour Organisation and the Registered Trade Union Federation in order to advance the needs of our members and to oppose steps which may prejudice the interests of our members.

Kindly utilise the following e-mail addresses and links to contact MISA and for assistance during this time:

Employer UIF/TERS Submissions                           UIFClaim@ms.org.za

Legal/Labour-related enquiries                             Legal@ms.org.za

* Legal Reception                                                    0114763920

MISA Benefit claim-related enquiries                   Claims@misa.org.za

Any other enquiries                                                 Info@ms.org.za

Website                                                                     www.misa.org.za

Mobile App                                                              https://onelink.to/w9a7ku

#MISACARES #MISAONTHEMOVE

This article contains extracts from an article by Cassandra Waters of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).