Are we ready to talk about sexual harassment in the public service system? research in Georgia

The issue of sexual harassment of women in the labor market is considered a little-researched topic in the Armenian reality, especially when it comes to the manifestations of this phenomenon in the public service system. The research conducted on this topic in neighboring Georgia in 2021 is certainly of interest to Armenia as well. This is a study conducted by the Caucasus Center for Research Resources-Georgia (CRRC) on “Sexual harassment in the workplace in the Georgian civil service” . It was conducted within the framework of the UN Women program “Good Governance for Gender Equality in Georgia” with the support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Georgian Civil Service Bureau.

WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH?

The purpose of the study was to identify the prevalence of sexual harassment of women in the public service system and to assess their prevalence, as well as to identify attitudes towards sexual harassment in the workplace, including awareness of its causes, consequences, risks, safeguards and mechanisms in place. About:

The research was conducted using quantitative and qualitative methods. Surveys were conducted, in which 461 civil servants participated and 35 in-depth interviews. 2/3 or 313 of the respondents were women. 181 of the civil servants were under 34 years old, 161 were 35-44 years old, 119 were over 45 years old. Most of the respondents – 262 worked in central government bodies, 78 – in local government bodies, 35 – in court staffs, 33 – worked in sub-departmental bodies. All norms of ethics were observed during the research.

THE PROBLEM OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORLD

Sexual harassment of women in the workplace is a serious violation of human rights, which is also a serious obstacle to equal access to decent work.

The authors of the study note in the preface that, in theory, women and men can be sexually harassed, but in practice, women are much more likely to suffer from sexual harassment in the workplace. This can be explained by existing gender norms, such as inequality between women and men in terms of holding power. In other words, women are much less represented in leadership positions, and’s at a higher risk of being subjected to various forms of pressure when subordinated to superior men.

Surveys around the world show that 75% of women over the age of 18, or at least 2 billion women, have been sexually assaulted in the workplace. According to another EU study, which surveyed 42,000 women, 55% of women were sexually assaulted before the age of 15. 32% of women who were sexually assaulted said that the act was committed by either a partner, a manager or a client.

HOW MUCH SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS SPREAD IN GEORGIAN STATE AUTHORITIES

The study found that sexual harassment and gender stereotypes are widespread in the Georgian civil service.

One-third of those surveyed said they had been sexually assaulted in the civil service.

Two out of every five women surveyed in the central government said they had been sexually assaulted in the workplace.

Half of the respondents who had spent more than 20 years in the civil service reported being sexually assaulted during their service.

Women under the age of 35 and civil servants are more likely to be sexually assaulted.

More than one-fifth of female respondents have been sexually assaulted by more than one horse in the past 12 months, compared to 6% of males.

Women are more likely to be sexually assaulted than men. About 31% of women reported being abused by more than one form of violence, while only 15% of men reported the same.

The risk of sexual harassment increases in less formal situations, such as business trips, team training, and corporate parties.

HOW DO THE RESPONDENTS RELATE TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT?

The vast majority of civil servants are aware of the phenomenon of sexual harassment, but in practice are tolerant of it.

86% of respondents described sexual comments as harassment.

90% – sexual jokes

98% – unnecessary physical contact

91% ask for a job promotion.

WITNESSESS DO NOT USUALLY INTERFERE

The results of the survey show that the majority of cases of sexual harassment go unnoticed by outsiders. Only one-fifth of those who were sexually assaulted said that someone else was present.

While almost half of the respondents – 47% said that they witnessed sexual harassment in one way or another, including 39% found out about it from someone else, 31% heard it directly from the victim, and 14% – has personally witnessed such incidents.

There are more women than men among the miners. 52% of women have seen or witnessed sexual harassment compared to 38% of men.

REPORT ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORK OR NOT?

While civil servants may theoretically be aware of the occurrence of sexual harassment and have a favorable attitude towards reporting sexual harassment, they are less likely to detect it in practice.

The majority of respondents agreed that civil servants have the right to report sexual harassment in the workplace (94%), and about 80% agreed that reporting sexual harassment in the workplace is an effective way to end violence. However, the data show that this attitude does not work, most cases of sexual harassment in the public service are not reported.

WHAT TO DO

The authors of the study note that although Georgia has made significant progress in combating gender-based violence against women, the number of reports of sexual harassment remains extremely low. Most employers do not have grievance redressal mechanisms; at the time of the study, only one in ten ministries, the Ministry of Defense, had an internal grievance redressal grievance mechanism.

Analyzing the results of the study, the authors of the report presented some suggestions and tips. For example, when the respondents were asked how appropriate it is to report sexual harassment, most of the civil servants mentioned internally. This means that internal mechanisms to prevent sexual harassment must be introduced in public administrations.

The authors of the report used the work of raising awareness about sexual harassment in the workplace, its legal regulations and consequences.

Full text in Armenian