High number of sexual harassment cases among UN staff
According to a study published in the journal Science, one in three United Nations employees has experienced sexual harassment at work in the past two years. The harassment included jokes and stories, insults, sexual innuendo, and inappropriate touching.
More than 30,000 UN staff responded to questions about their experiences of sexual harassment prepared by professional services consultancy Deloitte, which was commissioned by the UN. Some 44,000 people work for the UN worldwide.
According to the aforementioned study, one in five people who responded to Deloitte's questions said that in the past two years they had heard sexual jokes and stories that made them feel hurt and uncomfortable.
About 14 percent of people have been insulted or disrespected because of their appearance, body, or sexual activity. 13 percent have faced a situation where someone tried to force them into a discussion about sexual topics.
About 11 percent said they had been subjected to sexual gestures or body language. 10 percent said someone had touched their body inappropriately.
In two-thirds of cases, it was men who committed sexual harassment. In a quarter of cases, male bosses committed sexual harassment.
More than half of those surveyed have experienced sexual harassment at work, many more at work-related events and parties. Only one in three have taken action against sexual harassment after being harassed.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the study “provides a set of statistics and indicators that tell us what needs to change to achieve a harassment-free workplace.”
Guterres also writes: "We still have a long way to go before we can talk about sexual harassment fearlessly and openly."
After reports of sexual harassment and abuse of female staff members of the organization were published in the media in 2018, the UN Secretary-General announced that he would pursue the issue vigorously.
Source: DW
