When the #MeToo movement dominated global discourse on sexual assault and harassment, it resonated with women worldwide because it opened up a space for them to say, “Me too. I have also suffered sexual violence”. Sexual harassment is pervasive and has infested all workplaces without exception. Many people were silent about their experiences, but as the world saw, when someone speaks out, it gives someone else courage to do the same.
This is why Akina Mama wa Afrika published this study titled “Tusikize! Listen to Us”; to document the voices and experiences of women in the workplace, looking at the common characteristics of how sexual harassment manifests, how it is perpetuated and experienced across lines of industry, occupation and social status and how it has impacted the lives of women. It sought to present evidence of sexual harassment in both the formal and informal sectors in order to inform the design of meaningful and effective laws, policies, and interventions to stem the vice.
The study revealed that regardless of the sector, women share similar experiences of Sexual Harassment and there was deliberate normalization of sexual harassment in the workplace culture. Although the kinds of sexual harassment varied very slightly across the sectors, all sectors examined showed that it manifested in forms such as persistent solicitation for sex through phone messages, physical propositioning, physical touch, and verbal harassment. This suggests that social class and status did not particularly mitigate the likelihood of being sexually harassed.
The virtual launch of the report presented an opportunity to discuss it in detail and connect it to other women’s experiences. The event was attended by representatives from the parliament of Uganda, Kenya Commercial Bank, Nakawa Market and the Uganda Workers’ Education Association (UWEA) and members from the public.
Priscilla Mwandha, Head of Human Resources at KCB highlighted the ways sexual harassment manifests noting that it thrives in a hotel environment. “Pressure to provide sexual favors happens throughout the employment cycle but it comes up frequently on trips and workshops and during the recruitment process in exchange for the job.”
The multifaceted nature of sexual harassment ensures that it makes both life at home and at work unbearable. It impacts productivity, employee engagement, and morale and leaves the victim with emotional trauma. These experiences dovetail with the findings of the report which illustrated women being passed over for promotions because they would not give in to sexual coercion.
The vice is enhanced by people’s socialization and its deliberate normalization in the workplace creates pressure to conform. “Everyone including other women will tell you to grow up. Women in leadership and management positions have lived this experience and see no reason why young women should make a fuss at being courted, ” said Hon. Anna Adeke, who has advocated on issues of sexual harassment in educational institutions and those of higher learning as a Legislator on the floor of Parliament in Uganda. She pointed out the element of coercion in sexual harassment cases. “People assume that just because you are an adult of sound mind everything happens with your consent.” she said emphasizinging that the power imbalance between teachers and students makes any ‘relationships’ predatory. “We need to speak about sexual harassment more openly so that we detach shame from it. We must be able to accommodate and conversate about it,” she added, highlighting the need to erase the stigma around being a victim of sexual harassment.
Additionally, the legal landscape in Uganda has no protection for women who report sexual harassment. This is why many hesitate to do so fearing retaliation from the perpetrator or from their colleagues. The sexual harassment committees set up at work are often an internal organ; comprised of the abuser’s peers which leaves the survivor vulnerable.
In markets, it was revealed that women face abuse from men who, according to Catherine Nanzige, a vendor in Nakawa Market, take advantage of their naiveté and poor pay to pester or force them into giving sexual favors. Since the current legal regime does not provide for protections in the informal sector, market women have had to resist on their own terms by applying the by-laws of the market to suspend or expel the perpetrators depending on the crime. As such, it is important that there is a supportive environment at both organizational and individual levels to support every woman in both the formal and informal sectors to live a life free of violence and harassment.
Clear processes for promotion, recruitment, and pay raises should be set out to eliminate under the table transactions. Human Resource teams must be trained to identify, support, and address sexual harassment because they will then be able to train others and know how to investigate these cases that are unlike fraud and other misconduct.
In closing the event, Leah Eryenyu, AMwA’s Research Advocacy, and Movement Building Manager stressed the importance of movement building. “For the long awaited reckoning to happen, women must rise up as a collective and say enough is enough,” she said. She also re-emphasized the clarion call to the Ugandan gov’t to ratify ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment in the workplace. “The convention provides a clear framework for action and an opportunity to shape a future of decent work based on dignity and respect,” added.
The report is available for download here.