Topic: Workplace Sexual Harassment
Country: El Salvador
Delegate Name: Priya Patel
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All El Salvador position papers GLIMUN 2018 committees
The UN defines workplace harassment as “any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favour, verbal or physical conduct or gesture of a sexual nature, or any other behaviour of a sexual nature (including pornography, sexually-colored remarks) that has or that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offense or humiliation to another.” Sexual harassment may interfere with work, be made a condition of employment, or create an intimidating and hostile work environment. The pervasive problem sparked a global discussion when women started the viral #MeToo movement in 2017 to share their experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace. In May 2018, the Chief Executives Board of the UN encouraged action in the decision-making, reporting, and investigation of sexual harassment. Secretary-General António Guterres noted in February 2018 that sexual harassment is rooted in historical power imbalances between men and women and established a Task Force to address harassment and increase support for victims.
In January 2018, El Salvador passed a new provision titled the Special Comprehensive Law for a Life Free of Violence against Women to guarantee women the right to leave a workplace if faced with psychological or physical abuse. This provision, along with the Law of Equality, Equity and Eradication of Discrimination against Women, ensures the prevention of discriminatory behavior and violence against women in their workplaces and enforces the gender equality principle. Heavy fines and judicial actions are utilized to punish the mocking, disparaging, and isolation of women, along with mental, physical, and sexual violence against them in their workplaces. El Salvador also supports international decrees such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights because it recognizes the importance of women’s economic activity and its impact on improving the standard of living. While there are laws regarding sexual harassment, employees generally do not report their experiences in fear of employer reprisals or negative consequences to their career development and mental and physical health. A Latin American study estimated that only around 5% of adult victims of sexual violence report the incident. Oftentimes, cases of workplace sexual harassment go unprosecuted and there are no consequences for the harasser; this must be remedied through stricter and more comprehensive legislation.
El Salvador recommends that the UN Women committee focus on implementing standards for workplace programs educating employees on sexual harassment policies and bystander intervention. It is also important to offer more protection for victims and whistleblowers to increase the likelihood of harassment being reported.
