Karahasan sa Work Environment

Two in five workers polled faced sexual harassment and of those who did, just one in three reported it
to an official authority at work. This worrying prevalence of sexual harassment is the case for men as
well.Male victims are less likely to report sexual harassment and typically suffer in silence.Under-
reporting in the case of male victims is often rooted in norms around masculinity that expect them to
hide their vulnerabilities and emotional distress.For example, men are told that they would not be
abused because they can always use their bodily strength to fight back, or that only gay men get sexually
harassed. 

Those who do not report the harassment said that they had dismissed their experiences as “not serious
enough”, or they had wanted to forget the unpleasant experience.This is not unexpected given the lack
of legislation against workplace harassment and attention to what constitutes such an offence.In
addition, many people who encountered sexual harassment would think twice about reporting it
because it may affect their standing at work and collegial relations.From conversations with my peers, I
know that workplace sexual harassment is more prevalent than one may presume, yet also not really
talked about.Not talking about it only perpetuates the culture of harassment and bullying in the
workplace, and prevents victims from getting the care and support they deserve. I would like employers
to address the factors that contribute to a victim’s fear that reporting will result in retaliation. These
include sexism, gender stereotypes and unclear definitions of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

It also does not help that society at large still upholds sexist beliefs and biases, and thinks it is okay to act
on them.For example, women in the workplace are still judged by their appearances, as if what they
wear matters more than their skills and competence.Remarks about wearing a low-cut top to meet with
a client or jokes about letting men do the work because they “wear the pants around here” are
frequently heard forms of sexism.Sexist “jokes” and verbal comments that cause discomfort are often
insidious and concealed forms of sexual harassment and workplace discrimination.Men are also
vulnerable and susceptible to such gender biases and harassment. The Government and employers
should do more to dismantle this culture of harassment and bullying in the workplace. 

Having a national legislation against workplace harassment as well as a clear guideline of what
constitutes workplace sexual harassment would be the first step forward.I also support the call by the
Association of Women for Action and Research for regular anti-harassment training across industries
and the universal adoption of grievance-handling policies.Making reporting channels safe and
accessible, and pushing for education around the subject of workplace harassment, should be a priority
as well. Feeling safe in the workplace should not be something that we need to fight for — it should be a
given. 
Ang karahasan sa ibang kasarian ay dapat maiwasan lalo na sa lugar ng pagtatrabaho. Ang mga lalaki,
babae, bakla, tomboy, at maraming pang iba ay dapat lumaban sa karahasan ng ibang nagdidisrespekto
sa kasariang pinili nila. Ang lipunan ay iba din ang iniisip sa kung papaano lalabanan o paano
magrereaksyon ang iba, halimbawa, posibleng isipin ng lipunan na ang mga lalaki ay medaling
makakatakas sa karahasan dahil nga sa kanilang malakas na katawan at sa babae ay di sila makakalaban
dahil nga sa sinasabing mahina sila. May takot din na may masamang mangyari sa trabaho at mapahiya
ang taong nakadanas ng karahasan sa lipunan. Dapat lahat ng kasarian ay lumaban sa karahasan at
tigilan ang diskriminasyon para di magkaroon ng pagkakahiya at takot sa paparating na krimen.