WCIC driving initiatives to combat Gender-Based Violence and Harassment in workplace

• Initiative in collaboration with CIPE creates a forum to discuss the topic

The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) focused on a drive to combat   Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) at workplace created a unique forum for a captive audience consisting of corporate HR teams and entrepreneurs , to engage in a meaningful discussion with relevant information and statistics to achieve possible actionable outcome.

WCIC Chairperson Anoji De Silva in her welcome address outlined the many areas the WCIC is engaged in with the vision of being the think tank, voice and the platform for women in business. She elaborated on the extensive partnerships they form to achieve their vision,  CIPE being one such strong connection that has paved the way for WCIC to work on GBVH  among many other topics, and to create initiatives to combat same at the workplace.

Speaking on behalf of WCIC and CIPE the project Chair, Tusitha Kumarakulasingam outlined the thinking. “We need to begin with a clear understanding of the global initiatives. The International Labor Organization (ILO) is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognised human and labour rights, pursuing its founding mission that labour peace is essential for prosperity. Convention No. 190 (or C190) is the first international Treaty to recognise the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. We invited ILO Specialist Elenor Gerasimova to explain the prevailing status. We have two local experts - Marini de Livera and Naushalya Rajapakse who shared their knowledge related to the current legal situation, its limitations as well as the current scenario related to same at workplaces.”

The experts established that GBVH is an issue that as a whole we do not yet have proper systems, procedures or laws that can play a meaningful role in the eradication. WCIC invited IFC to share their extensive research on the impact of GBVH on businesses. Aarathy Arunasalam, Samurdhi Perera jointly shared their learnings with the audience.

The participants engaged in a digital survey related to GBVH that revealed awareness and experience were prevalent on harassment (physical and mental), bullying, intimidation  and it needs to be addressed effectively for a conducive working environment.  The data of the mini survey was in line with the outcome of the national survey done earlier by WCIC as a component of an earlier CIPE project. It clearly establishes the need for formal processes, procedures in workplaces that are administered effectively. Although some organisations do have existing initiatives most others can improve significantly.

Awareness

During the second half of the day the teams reviewed draft policies and code of conduct suitable for organisations and tried to identify incidents, behaviour that needed attention and deliberated on what preventative actions should be in place.  The importance of having formal procedures the entire company is aware of was considered critical. The participants committed to exploring existing initiatives within their organisations, If relevant, they agreed to champion changes with the HR teams and create awareness among team members on what needs to be done if they experience such situations or If they were an  observer.

WCIC as a continuation of the project will engage with organisations to ensure that such policies are drafted and implemented. 

“Our goal is to promote a culture of gender equality and safety from GBVH among member organisations. Through this initiative, we hope to create awareness among women about their rights, options for acting against workplace violence and harassment, and the authorities established in Sri Lanka to support women and ensure that the organisation will take necessary action “was the message from WCIC.

For more information about WCIC and its efforts to combat Gender-Based Violence and Harassment, visit https://www.wcicsl.lk/