Women Have Allegedly Been Forced To Exchange Sex For Jobs In The African Union

The African Union recently launched an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination within the union and has found them to be true.

Findings from the investigations show that sexual harassment exists in the Commission and that female employees were sexually harassed by supervisors especially during official missions outside the work station.
The female employees who suffered the most were short-term staff, youth volunteers and interns who were promised employment contracts by the senior staff who harassed them. 88 women were interviewed and all of them confirmed allegations of sexual harassment.
Unfortunately, the situation was worsened by the fact that the African Union doesn’t have any policies in place to combat sexual harassment. It has however resolved to create one to prevent further abuse of authority.
Women in the AU also complained about gender discrimination in the form of corruption in the hiring process and being bypassed for promotions as well as having their contracts ended without valid reasons.

(Photo: Gfycat)

Sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination is sad, and this recent discovery is even more disappointing because it is coming from the African Union, a body that should champion equal opportunities for women and men.
We celebrate the bravery of the women who took the first step towards change by calling out their unfair experiences at their workplace. You can learn from them and be a voice. Speak your truth. If more of us speak out, then we can stamp out sexual harassment forever.

(Photo: Giphy)