Say NO to Sexual Harassment!
Project Description
“Say No to Sexual harassment!” was the first large Romanian project on the issue of sexual harassment. It run for two years (2006-2007) with the aim of raising awareness and creating a valuable support system able to involve trade unions, HR managers, NGOs, public authorities and to lead to an efficient management of sexual harassment cases at the workplace. Moreover the project meant to increase the information level of employed women aged 18-35 years on their legal rights.
Prior to the project, research showed a very low level of awareness, especially among women, with regard to labour rights and to the legal protection provided in case of sexual harassment. Most of these experiences were not even correctly identified as such and the lack of information facilitated the persistence of dysfunctional behaviours at the workplace. Although research indicated at least 1 out of 9 persons having experienced sexual harassment, almost none of the cases were brought to Courts or to national institutions with mandate in sanctioning discrimination.
The main project activities were:
- A pre-campaign sociological research measuring knowledge/perceptions on sexual harassment;
- Trainings for trade unions;
- Informational sessions for HR managers on the procedures linked to cases of sexual harassment;
- Public debates with public authorities/NGOs/employers associations on preventing sexual harassment;
- Local awareness-raising media campaigns;
- A post-campaign sociological research to measure the results of the campaigns;
- Publication of a guide on “Managing Sexual Harassment Cases at the Workplace”
- Publication of the website www.hartuiresexuala.ro
- Final press conference
Target Groups
Employed women, trade unions representatives, human resources managers, employers associations, NGOs, public institutions.
Sustainability
After the project’s end, the results were constantly promoted, continuing to have impact in the view of the long-term objectives. Project information was included in various seminars and publications.
Transferability
Being local, the project had regionally limited impact. However, the project tools/activities may be nationally replicated. The need for national implementation was proved by the fact that, though implemented in only 4 cities, the project information (research results, campaigns, press conferences, website) was widely disseminated: articles on sexual harassment quoting the project were published all over Romania, women from all over the country asked for advice via website, trade unions and companies from other regions showed interest in trainings.
Project Contacts
Tel. + 40 021-335.41.75 / 0723 221 196
Email: laninosanu@cpe.ro
Contact person: Livia Aninosanu