‘Public servants are not equipped to deal with sexual harassment at work’

The National Human Rights Commission presented the results of the Survey on Sexual Harassment, Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior of Civil Servants on May 1.

There are 19,080 civil servants nationwide. The survey saw participation of more than 3,000 civil servants.

Member of the National Human Right Commission D.Sunjid said, “The survey found that there was a lack of understanding of what is considered as sexual harassment in the workplace. According to the research, more than 50 percent said that jokes with sexual undertones are not included in sexual harassment in the work place. However, a high percentage agreed that touching, texting, kissing, or forcing unwanted sexual intercourse are included in sexual harassment.”

“About 26.9 percent of respondents said they had been sexually harassed at work, and more than 70 percent did not know where or who to report it to. In other words, there is a lack of knowledge about reporting such incidences. Those with higher education had higher awareness about sexual harassment in the workplace.”

Findings of the survey:

• 1 in 7 public servants are unaware of what sexual harassment is

• 1 in 6 public servants are unaware of the laws governing sexual harassment

• 1 in 5 public servants are not aware of how to report sexual harassment

• 1 in 4 public servants have experienced sexual harassment

• Less than 10 percent have filed a complaint with a formal entity to resolve issues related to sexual harassment in the workplace

• There is a perception that sexual harassment is accepted and blamed on women

• At the central government and departmental levels, efforts to combat sexual harassment in the workplace is relatively weak