Sexual harassment – and the fear of it – are significant factors putting young women off considering careers in some male-dominated professions. Now four UK women’s organisations are working to tackle the power imbalance with a grant from The Justice and Equality Fund’s Now’s the Time programme, managed by Rosa and supported by TIME’S UP UK.
Welsh charity Chwarae Teg has joined forces with England’s The Fawcett Society, Scotland-based Close the Gap, and Women’s Resource and Development Agency from Scotland. Together they have formed a coalition founded on the belief that inequality creates a culture in which sexual harassment is normalised and can go unchallenged.
The focus of Now’s the Time is on preventing sexual harassment, rather than relying on victims coming forward to report sensitive and traumatic experiences which leave them vulnerable. Speaking to the South Wales Argus, Chwarae Teg’s Cerys Furlong explained the group’s work would provide “real, tangible tools for employers to use” with a view of eliminating the problem.
Another goal of theirs is to make it easier for women to report issues and look at the challenges that leave women targets of sexual harassment, such as ethnicity. They will also research how employers, managers, and employees view current experiences, promote a proactive and responsive culture, and positively develop workplace environments.
Chairwoman of the project’s steering committee, Marai Larasi, said it was about putting “building blocks” in place for a more equal society.
“In the last two years we have seen unprecedented attention being given to violence against women and girls, including sexual harassment,” she added.
“We are determined to not lose that momentum. If we are to end sexual harassment, we need widespread cultural change.”
This month, government ministers announced plans to survey thousands of victims of sexual harassment to strengthen protections for workers. Victims of sexual harassment are being urged to share their experiences in what the Government Equalities Office has described as one of the largest surveys of its kind ever to be carried out. Its aim is to allow victims to have an impact on government policy, and ensure those policies are targeted in the right places.
Victoria Atkins, minister for women, said: “Sexual harassment is wrong and survivors must be able to share their stories. This survey will help us build a clear picture of who is affected and where. Working together with business, we can stamp it out.”