Description:
In
support of Human Rights Commission to raise
awareness in sexual harassment, BPW conducted
surveys of BPW NZ members to raise the awareness
of sexual harassment issues in the working
environment and to educate women with regards
to their rights, safety, and responsibilities.
Two
surveys were conducted. About 1,200 BPW
members participated in the surveys. The
survey was conducted using an on-line system.
- The first survey
inquired about practices and protocols
in members’ work places to raise
awareness regarding sexual harassment
issues. The result shows that many workplaces
did not have sexual harassment policy
and the places that have the policies
did not publicized them. Many incidents
were also reported.
- The second survey
was conducted as a follow up in December
2001-January 2002. The same questionaire
was used to identify changes in workplaces
since the first survey was done. This
survey is not yet complete at the time
of this report, as the results are still
coming in.
- Human Rights Commission’s
publication on advise regarding sexual
harassment awareness were distributed
to all BPW New Zealand members.
- BPW ChristChurch
held a seminar "Sexual Harassment
in the Workplace, from the perspective
of employees and employers and employers’
obligations to policy implementation"
on 25 February 2002 with a speaker from
Human Rights Commission.
Results:
The
impact on the larger community has been
greater than the statistical outcomes. While
the statistics reported in the second year
did not vary widely from the first survey,
the general awareness of the policies in
place has changed.
The
surveys influenced members to actively search
out, read and share information about their
organisation’s sexual harassment policies
and became aware of how to identify and
report incidents of sexual harassment. Companies,
institutions and governmental organisations
were investigated by our members.
BPW
NZ plan to hold more seminars in cooperation
with Human Right Commission to raise awareness
in sexual harassment as well as plan to
conduct a further survey targeting the hospitality
and food industries and the incidences of
sexual harassment in this working environment.
Number
of Women being Help 1,200 BPW members
Project
Leader:
Jean
Park (President)
Evidence:
- Sexual harassment
prevention awareness week by Linda O’Dea
- Questionaire
and questionaire’s results.
- Report to BPW
NZ National Circular
- Information from
Human Right Commission, New Zealand
Last update: year 2002 |
