Creating awareness on sexual harassment
CORPORATE companies are urged to be more proactive in addressing issues of sexual harassment in the workplace, as it hurts job performance and the company’s image.
The Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), a women’s rights organisation, has taken the initiative to create the “We Pledge” programme, providing knowledge and awareness to employees and employers in understanding and handling issues of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Malaysia currently ranks at No 9 within ASEAN, and globally, it stands at 102 out of 146 countries according to the World Economic Forum. It has been reported that the Malaysian Gender Gap index has regressed to 0.694 in 2024 from 2018, making it necessary for urgent action to be taken.
WAO recognises the pivotal role businesses and corporations play in effecting transformative change. Through “We Pledge”, businesses can make an impact on women’s and children’s lives by addressing key areas such as economic empowerment, access to healthcare, childcare, education, and the subsequent enhancing of the representation of women in political spheres.
WAO emphasises the critical link between violence and its contribution to poverty.
Violent conflicts not only cause immediate harm but also lead to long-term economic repercussions, including damage to infrastructure, institutions, destruction of assets, forced displacement, increased unemployment, and inflation.
Topics cover gender-based violence response and prevention, Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) awareness through addressing unconscious gender biases, and specialised training for HR professionals, leadership, and management teams, along with the theme of Women’s International Day this year, “Count her in: Invest in women.
It is important to note that WAO has been the driving force behind the Gender Responsive Budget Group, the drafting of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022 and amendments to the Domestic Violence Prevention Act 1994.
