UN to Start Helpline for Staff to Report Sexual Harassment
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres has said that the UN will not tolerate sexual harassment within its ranks and laid out a five-point plan to ensure equality across the organization.
“I reaffirm my total commitment to the UN’s zero tolerance policy on sexual harassment,” Mr. Guterres said Friday at the UN headquarters in New York.
He noted that like sexual abuse and sexual violence, sexual harassment is rooted in the historic power imbalances between men and women.
The UN chief said he is well aware of the male-dominated culture that permeates governments, the private sector, international organizations, and even areas of civil society.
“This creates obstacles to upholding zero tolerance policies on sexual harassment, including here at the United Nations,” he said.
Mr. Guterres launched a gender parity strategy at the UN, and for the first time in its history, the same number of women occupy senior management positions as men at the UN Secretariat, which now has 23 women and 21 men.
“This is a start,” he stressed, urging equality at all levels and outlining some concrete steps to address sexual harassment, including taking every allegation seriously, past and present, and making sure all staff affected know what to do and where to go for help.
He said a new helpline for staff within the Secretariat who seek confidential advice will be operational by mid-February.
Mr. Guterres has also established a Task Force of leaders from across the UN system to step up efforts to tackle harassment and boost support for victims, including mandatory staff training on this issue.
He has also strengthened the protection of whistleblowers and reminded staff of their duty to call out sexual harassment and to support those affected.
According to the UN, a survey among Secretariat staff will be conducted soon to obtain better information on prevalence and reporting rates.
Courtesy: UN
