The National Health Workers Union of Liberia (NAHWUL) and the Civil Servant Association of Liberia (CSAL), have petitioned the government through the Ministry of Labour and Civil Service Agency to stop gender and sexual harassment in the workplaces.

The ceremony, which took place on Friday, December 3, 2021, coincided with the 16 Days of Activism campaign to end violence against women and children in Liberia. It also started with a grand parade from the Ministry of Health to the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town. 

Sarah Scott Borvor, who read the petition statement on behalf of NAHWUL and CSAL, said the issues of gender and sexual harassment at the job sites is something that government needs to pay serious attention to and prosecute those involved. 

Mrs. Borvor also began by saying that “Enough Is Enough”, adding that, “We are here today to let you know about the agony of gender and sexual harassments we are suffering from daily in the world of work that can no longer be swept under the carpet.” 

She maintained that many of her colleagues have either left their jobs quietly or just do not have any pleasure to go to work simply because of the harassment suffered in the world of work, stressing that this must stop.

This situation is so frustrating to the point that there is no clear roadmap on how to get redress, even if one is brave enough to take up the challenge to report the madness, especially from their line managers on the work floor.

In the Liberian workplaces, employees most often faced comments and unwelcome physical touches that they often just brushed off and ignored. 

In some cases, it appeared to be a cultural norm that women may feel they should deal with; and in other cases, many women may not know if and that they can take action against sexual harassment in the workplace.

There have rarely, if ever, been high-profile cases of prosecutions for sexual harassment perpetrated in the workplace, although the act is a crime according to law. 

She, however, said that they do not only want gender and sexual harassment to be reported but also investigated fully and that the perpetrators are named and shamed.

“It is now time to stop shielding those in these habits. It is rather this persistent and constant harassment that can lead to violence,” she explained.

“Now, therefore, we call on heads of Ministries and Agencies, in particular, the Ministry of Labour and the Civil Service Agency to take immediate and concrete actions by investigating, punishing perpetrators and protect victims on cases of gender and sexual harassments in the world of work,” she said. 

Receiving the petition on behalf of Labour Minister, Cllr. Charles Gibson, Assistant Labour Minister for Manpower, Ruth Baryogar pledged the government’s support and commitment to champion such advocacy as well as improve workers' demand.

She said, “I am standing with you all. I receive this petition in good faith and will ensure that it is handed over to my boss, Cllr. Charles Gibson, for policy action.”