Sexual Harassment in Female at Working Place in Dhangadhi Municipality Kailali District of Nepal

Abstract

Sexual harassment is a challenging issue where women and men work together. It is being recognized as a violation of human rights and human dignity which undermines the equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women. So, this descriptive study was conducted in Dhangadhi Municipality Kailali District, Nepal to find out the experience of sexual harassment in female at working place. Only female respondents who were working in office were taken purposively from four sectors such as government sectors, Company, Government and Public School and NGOs/INGOs for the study by using pre-structured interview schedules. From each sectors 25% of the total female respondents which was 23 people were selected. Data were collected on the basis of first come first take method till the required number was achieved. The study was conducted among 92 respondents. It was observed that Women workers were victimized by all form of sexual harassment such as verbal (56.3%), physical (16.9%), Written or Graphical(11.3%), gesture(8.5%) and emotional (7.0%) form of sexual harassment. Co-workers (52.1%) are the major harassers to the women workers. Among 92 respondents, 71(77.2%) respondents were facing sexual harassment at working place and major cause of sexual harassment was (36.9%) power and position of male but they often ignore the incidence. Female workers are very much vulnerable to sexual harassment by their male co workers, immediate Supervisor and manager. It negatively impacts their performance in work, mental and physical health, their human right and dignity.