The terms sexism and sexual harassment encompass a range of actions, from inappropriate comments and groping all the way to rape. Just a few days before the International Women’s Day on 8 May, the study by the women’s department of the OGBL aims to draw attention to an issue that isn’t well recorded in Luxembourg. The study has two parts, with the first asking women if they have been victims of sexual harassment or sexism. The women questioned come from a wide variety of professions.
Manon Meiresonne, who led the study, says:
“The most represented activity sectors are retail, educatoin and sciences, healthcare, banks and insurances. For example in the banking and insurance sector, we have found that there is a real problem of sexual harassment and sexism and it is often the line manager who is responsible.”
The second part of the study asked women if they have experienced so-called “actes banalisés” (trivial, belittling acts). Examples include not feeling taken seriously or being given less challenging tasks than their male colleagues. How these acts are experienced is quite individual:
“It’s a question of perception, it is situational. One person can take something personally while another wouldn’t mind. Thats why you can’t easily label the issue. Individual perception is very important in workplace relations, which is why you have to consider this measure, too.”
Over half of women concerned do not report sexist remarks or harassment to their employer. This shows that they do not trust workplace structures enough to protect them. This is something that needs to change:
“There is a lot of prevention and awareness work that needs to be done, that we at Equality currently consider insufficient. Education is important. The role of equality delegate must be better defined and the whole business culture has to improve for the wellbeing of women at work, but also everyone‘s wellbeing, generally.
The results of the OGBL study show that the issue needs to be taken seriously. It’s not enough to talk about gender equality, but there needs to be action.
