On June 10th, 2017, the KIP Project held a training session for Lebanese SMEs on the drafting of anti-sexual harassment guidelines and policies, in partnership with the Office of the Minister of State for Women’s Affairs (OMSWA), the Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB), and the Global Compact Network Lebanon. We spoke with some of the participants from the private sector about their role in mobilizing for social change, specifically around anti-sexual harassment policy and legislation.
“Sexual harassment is considered a civil rights violation. However, the law is not enough. There is a lot of work that needs to be done within our community, education, and awareness. The working place is an excellent opportunity to train, educate, formalize within the internal company policy all matters related to sexual harassment.
It is the duty of the employer to introduce the topic of sexual harassment and inform employees about their duties and their rights. A healthy and equal workplace culture is vital for the growing success of any business and professional relationship.
With the rise of the economic crisis worldwide, sexual harassment cases are on the rise and a very small percentage is speaking up, which is damaging on a moral, personal, psychological level for the victims but also on a financial level to both employer and employee whenever the case is happening in the workplace.
We need to partner with activists as business entities and help break this taboo.”
— Farah Bousaleh, Human Resources Manager, Mobile Technology Tomorrow