Israel has marked its 20th year in creating the first laws in the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace. Given the significance of the 20th year, the international #MeToo Movement, and protests around the world, continue reading to learn about the recent strides made in preventing sexual harassment.
Israel is one of the most progressive countries about sexual harassment not only in the Middle East, but around the world. In the past few years, Israel has been leading the conversation in the UN to eliminate sexual harassment. Here are a few of Israel's most recent achievements at the UN:
1. In March 2017, Israel initiated the very first and only resolution at the UN about preventing and eliminating sexual harassment in the workplace. The resolution was immediately passed in consensus and adopted by the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). It can be seen in the attached file. In collaboration with other countries, a study was also commissioned about sexual harassment of women in the workplace and will be published in 2020.
2. In March 2018, Israel initiated the very first event at the UN about sexual harassment. The event was a forum co-sponsored by Kenya, Colombia, and Jake Sherman from the International Peace Institute. This forum sparked an extensive conversation within the UN about how to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
3. In the summer of 2018, Israel successfully led a resolution to change the language around sexual harassment to the UN General Assembly.
4. At the UN General Assembly during September 2018, Israel established a formal group to eliminate sexual harassment with France, Holland, and Kenya. The group comes together once every quarter to act as a voice on sexual harassment at the to the UN. All agents of the UN recognize this group and consult with them when formulating policies about sexual harassment.
5. Besides being active within the UN, Israel is bringing information about sexual harassment to the International Labor Organization. Israel has provided corrections about the language used in describing sexual harassment to the ILO's convention. This correction to the convention received positive response from the international community.
6. Israel's original law to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace from 1998 is one of the most progressive laws in the world.
a. The law is more severe for cases involving minors, bosses and employees, disabled peoples, patients under care, and more vulnerable populations.
b. In 2015, Israel added that sexual harassment includes the sharing of sexual videos, photos, and audio recordings without the owner's consent.
c. In the workplace, it is the boss's responsibility to prevent sexual harassment since it is most likely to happen at work.
d. In cases of sexual harassment there are three ways of filing a claim: criminal, civic, and labor.
Israel has made great strides in eliminating and preventing sexual harassment to women around the world. If you would like to learn more or continue the discussion, please contact the Consulate.