KABUL (SW): The findings of Salam Watandar indicate that there is no respite in acts of harassment and sexual advances both in public and private sector offices.
Recently, Salam Watandar interviewed as many as 55 female victims, who have experienced sexual harassment at work place. During the last couple of weeks, Salam Watandar published a series of interviews. Most of the victims were reluctant to share their bygone experience at work. But out of the 300 interviews, 55 of them, who did not wish to be identified, agreed their stories to be published.
The interviews conducted by Salam Wantandar indicate that 47 percent of women at work place were directly asked by their colleagues or seniors to share bed with. The rest experienced different sorts of sexual harassments such as being touched, teased and leered.
On the other hand, analysts are of the opinion that in general, men are to be blamed for not respecting their women colleagues. The experts believe that the cultural background and the outdated norms are also the factors behind this issue.
Talking to Salam Watandar in this regard, Seyed Jafar Ahmadi, a psychologist, said young boys are not taught about emotional sensitivities hence the lack of it makes them sort of depressed even after getting married. Ahmadi believes there are social reasons behind the sadistic treatment woman received from men.
Ahmadi further said that lack-of-self-confidence is the key reason behind the suffering most employed women go through in the offices. Ahmadi stated the more confident the woman appears in office, the stronger she will be there.
Daud Erfan, a sociologist and university professor, said in this regard that lack-of self-confidence turns the woman into a fully self-doubting entity in the society. He said uncertainty is what makes women feel marginalized in the society.
He added the best approach to deal with this issue is to educate the society to accept and respect women at work.
ENDS
