work duration, promotion, disciplinary action and leave. From the total number of
claims examined from 2009 to 2013 close to one third were lodged by female
employees. Moreover, the highest number of claims related to unfair dismissal followed
by wage claims. However, documentation of sex disaggregated data relating to the
claim types was not available to undertake a rapid analysis.
64. Sexual harassment at workplace is a daunting reality and an accepted norm for most
employed women in the country. There is relatively high level of workplace use of
sexually suggestive language at work and lower incidence of more intimidating forms of
sexual harassment and these tend to happen more to rural women than urban
women72. Moreover, the reasons why women tend to do nothing about it includes; due
to fear of not being believed, fear of stigmatization/ bringing bad name to the family
and embarrassment and shame.73
65. The law on ‘Sexual Harassment and Molestation Prevention Act’ was ratified in May
2014, with the objective of prohibiting gender based discrimination at workplaces,
educational institutes and other service providers. The law mandates workforces with
more than thirty employees to create a committee with at least one female member to
inquire into sexual harassment complaints.
66. HRCM drafted the Sexual Harassment and Molestation Prevention Regulation as
mandated under section 37 of this legislation in August 2014 and it was published in the
government gazette by the President’s Office in October 2014. Between January 2011
and August 2013, a total of 07 cases of sexual harassment were lodged to HRCM. Out of
these 7 cases, 3 were closed and 2 victims were guaranteed a safe working environment
while lack of sufficient evidence could not prove the other case.
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