Some 7% of Belgian woman assert that they have been victims of sexual coercion by their line manager in the workplace. This figure is taken from a survey of 2,000 women in Belgium by Amnesty International carried out in 2014. SOS Viol (which supports rape victims) collaborated with Amnesty in producing this.
On the World Day for Safety and Health at Work today (Friday), both associations are organising an awareness-raising campaign in the main Wallonia and Brussels stations.
Information posters entitled “This happens at work too” will be placed this morning (Friday) in the main stations. The aim is to raise public awareness of this phenomenon.
Philippe Hensmans, cited in the communiqué, indicated, “It is as alarming as it is unacceptable that women are subject to such a form of suffering in the workplace.” The Director of the French-speaking Belgian section of Amnesty International will be present this morning at the Brussels-Luxembourg train station.
He said, “Through this initiative, we wish to raise awareness amongst all players in the world of work to this reality. Moreover we wish to remind women workers that they have the right to be protected from these abuses.”
He went on, “We wish to emphasise that redress is available to them, should they find themselves in this situation.”
The initiative is also supported by social partners.
The Brussels Times
