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UN calls for ‘zero tolerance’ of sexual harassment in Afghan workplace
KABUL, July 15, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – A senior UN official in Afghanistan has
called on government offices to adopt policies of “zero tolerance” toward
sexual harassment, amid a swirling scandal that has seen women allege routine
misconduct in the corridors of power.
The controversy erupted in May when General Habibullah Ahmadzai, a former
security advisor to President Ashraf Ghani, alleged that some members of
Ghani’s administration were trading government positions for sexual favours.
The attorney general’s office is investigating the matter, and Ghani’s
spokesman has rejected Ahmadzai’s claims as “completely false and baseless”.
But several women have spoken out in the media with their own allegations,
and stories of inappropriate behaviour by male officials are commonplace in
Kabul.
Women’s rights have made some significant steps since the fall of the
Taliban nearly two decades ago: out of 320 parliamentary seats, roughly a
quarter are held by women.
But despite these gains, harassment, abuse and violence remain commonplace.
Richard Bennett, the head of human rights for the United Nations Assistance
Mission in Afghanistan, on Sunday addressed a conference in Kabul that
included a discussion about a potential law aimed at ending violence against
women.
“The issue of harassment in the workplace is of huge concern to Afghan
women, primarily because it can eventually lead to a sexual assault,” Bennett
said, according to prepared remarks provided Monday.
“This should be a concern for everyone: police, prosecutors, judicial
officials and civil society.”
Bennett said he was strongly encouraging the attorney general’s office and
other bodies to develop and implement a comprehensive “zero tolerance” policy
regarding the harassment of women in the workplace.
“It will send the signal that harassment of women and girls will not be
tolerated and will be punished,” he said.
Sarwar Danish, Afghanistan’s second vice president, called on prosecutors
to “seriously investigate” the reports at a press conference on Sunday.
“If the allegations are proved, after the investigation these people should
be exposed. Such crimes are not acceptable to the Afghan government.”
BSS/AFP/RY/1908 hrs