#SheDemands an end to workplace sexual harassment in Palestine

The extent of workplace sexual harassment in Palestine has been exposed by the #SheDemands campaign.

Women who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace have spoken out as part of the campaign, led by the civil society organizations Women, Media and Development (TAM) and CARE International (West Bank/Gaza Strip).

The survivors speak of sexual harassment that begins even before employment, at the interview stage, or with harassers targeting students on work experience. Others speak of institutional failures to deal with the problem - with employers siding with the perpetrators and even forcing victims into early retirement.

Videos produced by the campaign exploring such case studies have been viewed tens of thousands of time on social media.

The campaign has sought insight into public perceptions of workplace harassment. While people feel that they would be able to report on harassment if they saw or experienced it for themselves, there remain barriers, fears and stigmas associated with the crime that prevent victims and witnesses coming forward.

The #SheDemands campaign has aimed to open up the conversation on workplace sexual harassment in Palestine, breaking the silence on the issue, and providing practical support to victims through the helpline run by TAM.

In one case explored in the campaign, a woman forced into early retirement when she complained about workplace sexual harassment had the decision overturned by the courts through the support of TAM.

Click here to watch her story.

Ending workplace sexual harassment is a priority for women’s groups across the world and in the Karama network. Many organizations are lobbying their governments to ratify ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment, but so far only six governments have done so.

By talking about the issue and offering support for those affected by it, TAM and its partners are working to directly address the impacts and work towards ending one of the great threats to Palestinian women’s social and economic participation, and their fundamental rights.