As the world commemorates International Women’s Day (IWD) today, the NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) has said it is concerned about increasing sexual harassment reports from some workplaces in the country.
The theme for the IWD this year is ‘Closing the Gender Gap in the World of Work by 2030’ and the country’s commemoration activities are taking place in Ntchisi.
In her statement during a press briefing announcing the day, NGO-GCN Chairperson, Emma Kaliya, said the country cannot celebrate the day without mentioning numerous challenges that women are facing in workplaces.
Kaliya said her office receives a lot of complaints from women who are victims of workplace sexual harassment.
“There are so many cases that come regarding sexual harassment. Sexual harassment, regarding the Gender Equality Act, is criminal and people should not even try to do that. Whether it is a woman doing it to a man or a man doing it to a woman, it is criminal and people should know that.
She also said there are some employers and senior managers in workplaces who have deliberately chosen to ignore the Gender Equality Act of 2013 and claim to have own company laws.
According to Kaliya, there are some companies that decide not employ women because they are women, prevent women from going for maternity leave and dismiss women when they become pregnant but such companies need to be reminded that country’s laws govern everyone.
“Otherwise, we cannot just sit and watch such things happen,” she said.
Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Jean Kalilani, said the day reminds Malawians the rallying point for recognising women’s achievements over the years and their valuable contributions to families, communities and country.
“Indeed, the day provides us an opportunity to renew our commitment to promote women’s rights for strengthening our freedom, justice, equal participation and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals at all levels,” Kalilani said.
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