For a long time, sexual harassment has been afflicting the world’s employment system, and Rwanda has not been spared with countless victims, almost no justice, and without immediate viable solutions to it. Many companies had prided themselves in being violence-free, until the #MeToo campaign exposed them, and then the ‘problem’ for them became why the sexual harassment victims did not raise their ordeals. Some of those who had raised it had been shamed and called liars, sometimes told it was their fault. Sometimes nothing was done at all, even if there was evidence. Transparency International Rwanda has for years raised red flags on the issue of sex-based corruption (quid pro quo sexual harassment) and other forms of sexual violence and harassment happening across all sectors, with the private sector, varsities, and local governments topping the list. With the ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention on Violence and Harassment, which recognises the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and aggravation, including gender-based violence and harassment, much is expected from everyone. Now, every workplace in the country – whether in the formal or informal sector – will have to implement, among other things, anti-sexual harassment policies, and ensure that the vice is handled with zero tolerance. However, much still needs to be done for this to be effective. The first thing is for everyone to acknowledge that sexual harassment is a human rights violation, and that there are no grey areas. The second is for employers to ensure that all their employees well understand that sexual harassment cases are handled with zero tolerance, and to make sure that is the case. The third most important thing is to ensure that victims of violence and harassment are provided with enough support to heal and get justice. By allowing ourselves to learn how to respect each other's rights, we can eliminate violence and harassment in the workplace to allow everyone a chance to grow in their career and contribute to the building of our nation. The government has taken the first step by ratifying the convention, now it is our turn to fight it and ensuring every workplace implements it to the dot.
