Be clear about your professional goals

Yes, women can be victims but they are also accepted as victims more often than men. If it is a case of sexual harassment or molestation, we would not question a woman’s account. Men often do not have that privilege. Being the gender that partially dominates the workforce, even if they are in such a situation they prefer not to report it, because ‘male honour’ might be at stake. I head an HR department and we try to put up a code of ethics and a code of conduct right from gender discrimination to a certain road map for behaviour, from shaking hands to maintaining physical distances. We as women are also responsible for our behaviour. When you look at some of the #MeToo allegations you also have to look at the industry they were in and the dominant culture and behaviour. However, as a woman, I draw the line regardless of who I am dealing with. I should have a clear demarcation of my professional life and personal life and what my goals and objectives of each are. I should not mix the goals. You also need to stand up for others as well, not move back because it hasn’t happened with you.

From Ms Taqleed Sayyed

Senion HR specialist with a company in Abu Dhabi