In a recent dialogue on gender-responsive work environments, a powerful call was made: sexual harassment must be treated with the same urgency and gravity as other crimes. Officials and gender advocates stressed that too often, perpetrators are shielded by employers, while victims are left unsupported, silenced, or even stigmatized. This culture of impunity not only denies justice but also perpetuates harmful power dynamics that undermine safety and equality at work. ALSO READ: Sexual harassment must be treated like other serious offences: RIB official Sexual harassment is not a minor issue. It is a violation of a person’s dignity, safety, and rights. Just like theft, assault, or fraud, it inflicts real and lasting harm. Yet, in many workplaces, such incidents are downplayed, ignored, or mishandled, especially when the perpetrator holds power or influence. This must change. The message from the dialogue is clear: reporting mechanisms must be transparent, swift, and survivor-centered. Investigations must be impartial. Support systems, from counseling to legal aid, should be readily available. Most importantly, employers must stop protecting perpetrators and instead enforce zero tolerance with real consequences. ALSO READ: Confronting sexual harassment at the workplace: The silent epidemic of GBV But this responsibility does not lie with institutions alone. Each of us has a duty. Colleagues must speak out, bystanders must intervene, and leadership must act. Silence and inaction fuel the problem. Creating safe, inclusive workspaces is a shared commitment, and it starts with believing survivors, taking every report seriously, and holding offenders accountable, regardless of their position. When we treat sexual harassment as seriously as other crimes, we send a clear message, that abuse has no place in the workplace.
