How BRAC drives a zero-tolerance policy on workplace sexual harassment

BRAC has a zero-tolerance policy on workplace sexual harassment at the heart of its operations and values. What lessons have we learnt that could be useful for other organisations?

Fostering a safe working environment for its employees is of the utmost priority for BRAC. A zero-tolerance policy against workplace sexual harassment is enforced through a comprehensive system.

Since its inception in 1972, BRAC treated women as agents of change, recognising their vital roles in families, communities and decision-making structures. In parallel, however, BRAC also realised that women's mobility, decision-making capabilities and access to resources are often controlled.

BRAC realised that in order to achieve gender equality, redistribution of power is necessary - through social, economic and political empowerment, and removing barriers. Women’s empowerment and social and behavioural change is a driving force for all of BRAC’s interventions.

To this date, BRAC operates with the same ethos. This is reflected in its policies and their strict implementation throughout the organisation. Here are some actions BRAC takes in order to create and foster a workplace free of discrimination and harassment;

Policies with women at the centre: Empowering women and fostering an inclusive and gender-friendly work environment are two core principles of BRAC. BRAC has three gender-focused policies, implemented strictly throughout the organisation; the sexual harassment elimination policy, the safeguarding policy, and the gender policy.

Integrating gender equality in all levels: Every BRAC staff member is required to undergo gender-sensitivity training on a regular basis. Every branch office has a gender action plan, which is implemented by a gender committee and focal person. Initiatives such as breastfeeding spaces, women-friendly toilets and desk work during menstruation ensure a supportive environment for women in the workplace.

Gender equality goals: Based on its gender-focused policies, BRAC strives to achieve four major gender-equality goals:

• Perform coordinated actions to address violence against women and children across all BRAC initiatives;
• Mobilise men and boys against violence against women and children across all BRAC initiatives;
• Improve the staff gender ratio with at least 30% women staff at middle management level and 40% women in new recruitment;
• Foster an increased knowledge on workplace violence among 60% staff.

Mainstreaming gender sensitivity across the organisation: All programmes, departments, and enterprises have their own gender goals, aside from the existing organisational policies; gender equality objectives and developing indicators are set to measure progress.

The policies and practices across the organisation reflect a simple principle - BRAC stands against anything that holds women back from participating fully in family, work, community and decision-making structures.