This qualitative study focuses on how language, gender norms, and informality in work arrangements influence young women’s voice and agency in response to workplace sexual harassment. The findings show that sexual harassment is widespread in both formal and informal workplaces, while domestic workers are particularly vulnerable to its most severe forms, assault and rape, due to their lone working conditions. The findings also show that women are not passive victims, but that their agency is severely constrained by social and gender norms. Concerning the role of informality, the findings contradict the existing idea that formal jobs will offer more protection and security. In Uganda, firm-based mechanisms were dysfunctional and did not adequately protect or support women. In Bangladesh, however, factories and managers were concerned about their reputations. Patriarchy and gender norms concerned with protecting the honour of young women infused the implementation of firm policies, for instance by having gender-segregated workspaces and canteen. This discouraged sexual harassment within factories to some extent and supervisors and managers reprimanded harassers. In both countries, the fact that women worked in groups offered some protection too as lone working situations were limited. The study concludes that language is essential for voicing and challenging sexual harassment, but that social and gender norms constrain young women from articulating transgressive and inappropriate behaviour by men. Many women hide detail, deliberately use euphemisms, and even lack a vocabulary to explain what happened to them, ultimately limiting opportunities for redressal.
Authors: Oosterom, Marjoke; Huq, Lopita; Namuggala, Victoria Flavia; Nazneen, Sohela; Nankindu, Prosperous; Sultan, Maheen; Sultana, Asifa; Azim, Firdous
Type: Report
Year: 2022