Employers urged to curb harassment at workplace
MWANZA: EMPLOYERS have been urged to establish strong systems to prevent and address sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH) in the workplace, including clear policies, dedicated committees and safe channels for reporting incidents.
The call was made yesterday in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region, during a capacity-building session for non-governmental organisations on preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, strengthening reporting mechanisms, promoting accountability and ensuring survivors access appropriate services and support.
The training was conducted through Forum Theatre, organised by Tanzania Bora Initiative (TBI) in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania and Kuckuck Production under the “Fit for PSEAH?” programme.
Speaking after the session, TBI Gender Specialist, Ms Sima Bateyunga said the training was part of an interactive theatre project designed to raise awareness about sexual harassment and ways of preventing it at workplaces.
She said Forum Theatre had been chosen because sexual harassment was a sensitive issue that could be difficult to identify and address.
“Many people think sexual harassment means sexual violence, to the extent that someone must be raped. But even making inappropriate comments in the workplace can constitute sexual harassment,” she said.
Ms Bateyunga said harassment could result in employees quitting their jobs, reduced morale and productivity, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies, loss of income and damage to institutional reputations.
She said employers were required to provide safe working environments and establish accessible reporting mechanisms, including workplace policies, regulations and committees dedicated to handling harassment complaints.
“There should perhaps be a special committee responsible for handling these issues in offices, or a suggestion box through which people can provide feedback and report such incidents,” she said, stressing that complaints should be investigated and appropriate action taken.
Senior Adviser on Family, Health and Gender Issues, Dr Katanta Simwanza, said the programme would be rolled out nationally after stakeholders in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Arusha, Mwanza and Mbeya received capacity-building training.
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He said target groups included religious leaders, students, NGOs and public officials, noting that harassment could affect performance, productivity, morale and personal development while causing psychological and health problems.
Dr Simwanza, a specialist in preventing workplace violence, stressed that sexual harassment could affect both women and men and occur in workplaces, schools and colleges.
Participant Mr Marco Samson said the training had improved his understanding of how harassment occurs, how to report it and measures that could be taken to prevent it.
Bring Hope for Children Tanzania Project Manager in Ilemela, Ms Irine Amani, called for special workplace committees and dedicated teams to protect complainants from retaliation and ensure cases were properly handled.
The Forum Theatre initiative is part of a regional programme aimed at increasing awareness, encouraging dialogue and promoting collective action to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in workplaces.
