Sexist comments about the appearance of women during a corporate chat. Communication at inappropriate times through the use of social media. Receiving sexist messages, inappropriate images and videos. Inappropriate behavior during video calls with sexist innuendos, emails that include unethical suggestions.
These are some of the incidents that have been reported to the Equal Society and affect the daily lives and mental health of many women. It is worth noting that most women who contact the Equal Society are mainly seeking advice on how to deal with incidents of sexual harassment and are afraid to go down the legal route.
The Advocacy and Human Rights Department of the Equal society two months ago in an in-depth report reported an increase in cases of sexual harassment during the pandemic due to the sudden imposition of teleworking using technology and social media.
As the Agency's Report states, the lack of a legislative framework for teleworking in the Greece, but also the delayed enforcement of measures to protect workers, primarily women, is responsible for the increase in sexual harassment incidents, with all that this entails for the mental health of potential victims, but also for the feeling of impunity of potential victims.
Figures presented in a recent report by the Equal Society's Advocacy and Human Rights Department demonstrate this very position as dozens of women have recently turned to the organisation for management advice and legal protection in the workplace.
The women's complaints include except for private enterprises and public bodies, but also municipalities. It is characteristic that from the complaints that have come to the attention of our legal service, not only high-ranking officials, but also persons appointed on political criteria.
«The recent complaint of the sailing champion, Sofia Bekatorou, has illuminated the darkness experienced by victims of sexual harassment», Equal Society stresses in a statement and calls on the Ministry of Labour to immediately adopt a strict framework for teleworking, in order to protect the rights of workers from incidents of sexual harassment.
The Agency has already submitted relevant proposals which will be further developed in the coming period.
The Equal Society and its Advocacy & Human Rights Department continues to stand by women and offer legal services in cases of sexual harassment on the contact number 211.70.51.841.
