Progress Towards Ending Sexual Harassment at Work? A Comparison of Sexual Harassment Policy in 192 Countries

Abstract

Eliminating sexual harassment at work has an important role to play in accelerating progress toward gender equality in the economy. This study examines how 192 countries’ laws address workplace sexual harassment and measures the pace of change in adopting new legislation over the past five years since the #MeToo movement, during which global momentum to address sexual harassment increased. The analysis finds that an additional 13 countries now prohibit sexual harassment. Yet in 22 per cent of high-income, 26 per cent of middle-income, and 34 per cent of low-income countries, sexual harassment in the workplace remains legal. Closing these policy gaps and establishing stronger accountability mechanisms around both prohibition and prevention must be a priority.