Sexual harassment is any unwanted behavior that people experience from other people that is sexual in nature. It may occur in schools, at work, in private places, or any other public areas. Both men and women are capable of filing sexual harassment cases, which has become rampant in the recent years that it appears to be part of daily life already. Sexual harassment in the workplace in the Middle East has reached epidemic proportions and pertains to any unwelcome sexual advances that include verbal or physical manifestation of the objectionable act.
Sexual harassment is one form of discrimination against women, especially those who are in power and who tend to handle sensitive and crucial roles in the workplace. There are two categories of sexual harassment, namely, quid pro quo and hostile environment. The former occurs when the perpetrator makes conditions of employment as the after-effect of the victim’s refusal to grant sexual favors, for instance, “blocked promotion or frozen wages or outright dismissal from work” (Basu, 2003, p. 144). On the other hand, the former refers to unwelcome jokes and comments by the perpetrator towards the victim, thus, resulting to a hostile working relations and environment. Most of the time, this is the most common form of harassment instigated towards women (Basu, 2003, p. 145).
In most cases, it is also linked to gender inequalities where men tend to analyze women sexually using sexist jokes, comments, and gestures, among others (McLaughlin et al., 2012, p. 626). Although in some instances these acts are not intended to cause harm to women, the effects it brings to women are too much, thus, are known to constitute sexual harassment. Women who have more power than men in the work setting are also subjected to the same sexual innuendos from men, especially when men feel threatened about the woman’s role in the organization. This is primarily due to how women are still perceived to be the weaker gender. When a woman excels at the workplace or performs leadership roles that were previously associated with men, it is inevitable for the opposite sex to focus more on what really defines a woman, which most often refers to how she performs her job according to her natural instincts in the hope that it would change how a woman completes her tasks (Lunenberg, 2010, p. 2). On the other hand, men may also be subjected to sexually harassing actions especially when one is considered to be too feminine. These responses may come from the same gender or from the opposite sex (McLaughlin et al., 2012, p. 626).
Lunenberg (2010) asserts that sexual harassment in the workplace is oftentimes connected with power, as it falsely gives the offender some level of control on the offended party (p. 1) regardless if the harassment comes from the boss, a supervisor, a co-worker, or any other lower-ranked employee. In typical situations, sexual harassment happens because one of the parties hold a higher position than the other one, and thus, have the power to grant whatever a lower-ranked employee needs to advance his or her career. However, this is not to say that only those in power are capable of initiating such acts because even colleagues of the same level are capable of sexually harassing another colleague (p. 2).
Sexual harassment presents various harmful and depressing effects on the victim as it could result to the victim withdrawing from previous socialization groups, avoidance of certain tasks, coming to office late, frequent absenteeism, use of alcohol or drugs, poor concentration at work, depression and anxiety, negative perception about colleagues, or even searching for a new job. These are due to the individual’s decreased interest on the job and increased levels of job stress and mental and emotional strain (Lunenberg, 2010, p. 4).
Sexual harassment is a worldwide phenomenon that affects most women in the Western culture. However, it is not limited to them alone because there are also diverse scenarios that Middle Eastern women encounter about sexual harassment. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, it has been observed that more of them are now joining the workforce as compared in the previous years. This has also increased the incidences of workplace sexual harassment considering although the genders were previously segregated from each other, they now work alongside each other in offices. Respect for women in the Middle East is very important that is why any unnecessary remarks that are deemed offensive to women could be considered harassment (Sharawi). Women assault is still not a familiar issue in the Middle East, but this is due to the punishments that violators will endure when caught doing the act.
Some women in Lebanon experience being grabbed and pushed to wall in attempt to kiss them in the hallway. Much worse, there are instances when supervisors would ask their subordinates to enter their offices and once the door is close, would suddenly expose their genitals to the unsuspecting victims. In truth, harassment does not only come in the form of physical actions, but also includes verbal and non-verbal forms of harassment. Comments that are directed towards the physical appearance of another individual also constitute sexual harassment (Gatten).
In Yemen, women who experience sexual harassment remain quiet out of fear of further being demeaned in public as what social tradition dictates (Al-Ariqi). As sexual harassment cases increase, women recognize that it is a lost cause because offenders typically evade punishment for their wrongdoings.
Unfortunately, not all those in the Middle East have policies in place when it comes to sexual harassment in the workplace. In Lebanon, as an example, “the penal code stipulates that victims have the right to leave their workplace without having to give notice” (Gatten), but no clear guidelines that says what constitutes sexual harassment. Instead, women’s rights groups, with the help of human rights lawyers, are working together to come up with a law that “would require companies to commit to anti-sexual harassment policies” (Gatten). In this light, fines and punishments are also being laid down to complete the guidelines.
Sexual harassment may be rampant now in the Middle East, especially in the workplace. However, the situation is not something that should be ignored as more women feel violated and used. The good thing though is that women now are finding their voice and fear less when it comes to raising their issues. Middle Eastern people should be re-educated about what behaviors can be considered as proper and not based on Islamic principles. This applies to those working in offices and similar types of environments, as well as those people women meet in the streets. While some men still consider women as the inferior gender, this does not give them the upper hand of treating women shamelessly. On the other hand, women will have to continue to assert themselves in the workplace and prove their competence at work to gain the trust and respect of their co-workers regardless of their gender.
Works Cited
Al-Ariqi, G. “Sexual Harassment Goes Unpunished in Yemen.” Safe World for Women. Web. 10 November 2013. <http://www.asafeworldforwomen.org/womens-rights/wr-middle-east/wr-yemen/2373-sexual-harassment-goes-unpunished-in-yemen.html>.
Basu, K. “The Economics and Law of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 13(3). 141-157. Web. 10 November 2013. <http://pubs.aeaweb.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1257/089533003769204399>.
Gatten, E. “Sexual Harassment Rife in Workplaces.” The Daily Star Lebanon. Web. 10 November 2013. <http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/May-08/172647-sexual-harassment-rife-in-workplaces.ashx#axzz2kCf4EWww>.
Lunenberg, F. C. “Sexual Harassment: An Abuse of Power.” International Journal of Management, Business, and Administration 6: 625-647. Web. 9 November 2013. <http://www.nationalforum.com/Electronic%20Journal%20Volumes/Lunenburg,%20Fred%20C.%20Sexual%20Harassment-An%20Abuse%20of%20Power%20IJMBA%20V13%20N1%202010.pdf>.
McLaughlin, H., Uggen, C., & Blackstone, A. “Sexual Harassment, Workplace Authority, and the Paradox of Power.” American Social Review. PDF. 9 November 2013. <http://asr.sagepub.com/content/77/4/625.full.pdf+html>.
Sharawi, M. “Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Comes Under the Spotlight.” Arab News. Web. 9 November 2013. <http://www.arabnews.com/node/220414>.
