Experts specializing in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) have united to address the pressing need for robust workplace gender policies aimed at eradicating sexual harassment.
This collective initiative is a response to the widespread yet often unreported occurrences of workplace harassment, emphasizing the imperative for organizations to prioritize comprehensive gender policies that foster secure and inclusive work environments.
Thelma Akyere Hayford, Gender Advisor at OXFAM in Ghana and Project Manager for Ghana under the EU funded ENOUGH!, shared insights during a national conference held at the Labadi Beach Hotel.
The event, organized by OXFAM and the Institute of Directors, Ghana (IoD-GH), centered around the theme ‘The Draft Model: Gender Workplace Policy,’ focusing on combatting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the workplace.
The collective call for action underscores the pivotal role of comprehensive policies in nurturing safe working environments and stands united against the global challenge of sexual harassment.
The keynote speaker, Angela Carmen Appiah, President of the Institute of Directors and Chairman of the Council, highlighted the need for purposeful action by directors, emphasizing the systemic nature of enterprises and the necessity for harmony for long-term profitability.
Panel discussions included Melody Darkey, Executive Director of Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF), who underscored the importance of implementing workplace gender policies to combat sexual harassment and gender-based violence. Darkey emphasized the pervasive yet underreported nature of these issues, highlighting their detrimental impact on productivity and the well-being of victims.
Kojo Amissah, Lead Executive and Principal Consultant, called for serious consequences for violations of workplace policies, stressing that policies alone are insufficient without stringent consequences for violators. He emphasized the crucial role of education in addressing workplace harassment.
Head of Department of Development Policy, School of Public Services and Governance,Dr. Gifty Oforiwaa Gyamera, emphasized the global impact of sexual harassment and the leadership responsibility in addressing this issue.
Lydia Doe, Head of Relations for OXFAM, focused on policy implementation and cultural transformation, emphasizing the need to move beyond legal frameworks to achieve successful policy implementation.
A Leadership and Corporate Governance Expert, Dr. Olu Ajayi, stressed the necessity of punitive measures for effective progress and suggested integrating behavioral assessment into performance management.
Bernice Sam Esq., Principal Consultant at BSC Advisory, presented the importance of businesses maintaining fair, safe workplaces without discrimination, violence, or harassment, emphasizing the impact on public image and reputation.
The conference aimed to catalyze transformative change in Ghana’s workplaces by promoting global imperatives for gender-equitable policies. Through collaborative efforts, knowledge sharing, and the endorsement of a model Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy, the conference aspired to drive the adoption of inclusive policies in both public and private organizations, with a goal of at least 12 organizations committing to adopting the policy and signing Memoranda of Understanding.