Research measures response time to GBV cases at work

A RESEARCH undertaken in the country will for the first time measure the costs and benefits of responding to gender-based violence (GBV) at the workplace by businesses.
The project was launched earlier this month by the International Finance Corporation and the Business Coalition For Women.
It aims to demonstrate to businesses the benefits of providing coordinated and comprehensive responses to employees affected by family and sexual violence (FSV).
There has been a jump in the number of GBV cases globally, with initiatives to prevent violence and protect people. In jurisdictions where lockdowns have been enforced, it has been difficult for those in need to access help.
In PNG, where more than two thirds of women experience rape or assault in their lifetime, there was a 31 per cent decrease in the number of those accessing GBV services in the period in which authorities enforced a Covid-19-related state of emergency, according to the United Nations Population Fund.
“There are many types of gender-based violence that impact the workplace, such as client aggression, workplace bullying and sexual harassment and violence experienced by employees at work, home and in their communities,” said Evonne Kennedy Business Coalition For Women executive director .
“When many companies down size, employees may not raise issues of violence with their employer as they may fear an increased risk of retaliation, including being fired,” she said, noting the impact from the Covid-19.
While the two-year research is focused on PNG, the results are expected to inform policy responses to GBV in other countries and aims to motivate private-sector interest in responding to FSV.