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EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality, Preventing sexual harassment, 22-23 September 2022

EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Preventing sexual harassment, 22-23 September 2022

Details

Publication date
13 January 2023
Author
Directorate-General for Communication

Description

The Government of established in 2022 an Alliance against Sexual Harassment - one of 17 initiatives agreed by tripartite negotiation in the wake of the #MeToo movement. It brings together the leaders of employer organisations and trade unions, education and training providers, youth and volunteer sector, in total 28 organisations across society to commit to practical actions to combat sexual harassment and promote cultural change, with government funding.

In April 2022, following revelations of sexual abuse on a popular TV show, the government of the Netherlands appointed a Government Commissioner and is in the process of drawing up a National Action Plan to address sexual transgressive behaviour and sexual violence. The Commissioner’s role is to give independent advice to the government based on broad consultation and dialogue with relevant stakeholders, civil society and citizens, in view of driving cultural change for creating a society where everyone feels safe, with an emphasis on prevention of harassment.

Sexual harassment is deeply rooted in day-to-day sexism, gender bias and gender stereotypes. It is defined as unwanted sexual attention with the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of the addressee. Participating delegates insisted that it must be distinguished from sexual violence, which is a criminal act punished by law, while sexual harassment is a matter of discriminatory practice that is part of a continuum that erodes dignity and respect and can ultimately lead to violence. It must be recognised that the great majority of victims are female, although men can also be at risk.  It costs governments billions of euros each year.

Sexual harassment can take place anywhere: at work, at school, in universities, in the public, and in the street.  ‘Zero tolerance’ is widely promoted as guiding principle in many organisations, but there are concerns whether this approach may discourage reporting by victims for fear of serious consequences and reinforce attitudes among offenders, who have sometimes suffered abuse themselves. Having laws in place to criminalise sexual harassment is necessary, but not enough to tackle this widespread problem. There is a need to shift the focus from victimisation to prevention, from reactive policies to proactive policies focused on changing organisational cultures and societal norms to reject ‘normalising’ sexual harassment.

Protecting and supporting victims is essential, but prevention is better. This means educating both boys and girls about consent, relationships and respect from a very early age and raising awareness of the population at large. In the long term, profound cultural or societal change is needed to break down gender stereotypes. Training and empowering ‘bystanders’ to ‘call out’ sexual harassment can be an effective approach, since speaking up comes at a high social cost for victims themselves. Mandatory training of managers and staff in both private and public sector was overwhelmingly supported by all delegates present. Leaders should set the example and lead the change in their organisation and beyond.

The seminar highlighted the need to reach specific at-risk groups such as women and girls from ethnic minority groups, of migrant background, with disabilities, LGBTQI people. Supporting civil society is key in reaching out and supporting these target groups. Addressing the new challenges arising from online harassment, especially of young girls, was another common issue highlighted during the seminar.

Successful prevention of sexual harassment requires collaboration with the widest possible range of actors, including governmental bodies, social partners (employers and trade unions), education and training providers, civil society and NGOs, especially feminist and human rights organisations. Men must also be brought on board, and in this context the Danish Alliance is a useful model, since many of the organisations represented in the Alliance are led by men. Public awareness raising campaigns are most effective when they target specific sectors and specific groups, and activities must be sustained over the long term to avoid losing public attention.

Files

13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Summary report
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(395.05 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Discussion paper - Denmark
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(422.36 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Discussion paper – The Netherlands
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(293.02 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Comments paper - Austria
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(302.2 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Comments paper – Belgium
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(365.71 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Comments paper - Czech Republic
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(333.87 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Comments paper – Finland
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(259.84 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Comments paper – France
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(252.38 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Comments paper – Greece
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(398.18 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Comments paper – Italy
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(303.62 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Comments paper – Luxembourg
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(320.48 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Comments paper – Malta
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(202.27 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Comments paper – Portugal
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(285.33 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Comments paper – Romania
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(338.73 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Comments paper – Spain
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(307.74 KB - PDF)
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13 JANUARY 2023
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality Gender Equality - Preventing sexual harassment - Comments paper – Sweden
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(348.37 KB - PDF)
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