Labor Solutions launches three new digital lessons for factory workers to help address gender-based violence in the workplace.
Women across the globe are disproportionately affected by gender-based violence (GBV) in their workplaces and at home, COVID has only exasperated issues.
According to a study conducted by the Sunflower Women’s Centre in Guangzhou, China, 70% of female workers some point in their working life experienced a form of sexual harassment at the workplace. The Fair Wear Foundation and CNV International had similar findings, reporting that in Bangladesh alone, at least 60% of female garment workers were either threatened or intimated with violence in their workplace.
"Gender-based violence is a very real and highly prevalent issue for factory workers globally. We hope our elearning courses contribute to the education and empowerment of workers and managers; creating a safer, more inclusive workplace environment that promotes a culture of mutual respect." said Labor Solutions' Principle Gender Advisor, Kira Osborne, who lead the development of the courses.
The interactive course consists of three different lessons. Each lesson is carefully designed to support a comprehensive learning journey both for female and male workers. Each lessons each take approximately 12-15 minutes to complete. All WOVO and WOVO eLearning users will have free access to the course free of charge.
"We know that gender-based violence rooted in gender inequality. It's impossible to fix GBV without first addressing disparity. Therefore, we designed the courses by first addressing discrimination and then addressing violence," said Sheila Schulze, Labor Solutions Head of eLearning.
The course includes the following lessons:
Gender Equality: Introduces the concept of gender inequality, where and how it can occur and provide recommendations on how to reflect on the past and look to the future.
GBV Part 1: Explains the GBV phenomenon, the various ways it can be perpetrated, where it can occur, what its impacts are and which factors can increase its risks.
GBV Part 2: Communicates the importance of breaking the silence and stigma of GBV as well as the actions to take if you experience or witness violence at the workplace.
Reach out to your client advisor to learn more.
Meet Kira
As Labor Solutions' Principle Advisor, for Gender, Kira Osborne, works closely with clients and is a thought leader on issues of women's right, gender equality and discrimination. Ms. Osborne is a development generalist with more than ten years’ experience working alongside marginalized and vulnerable communities across South Asia, the Pacific Islands and Australia. She has a strong background in safeguarding and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. Ms. Osborne has worked organizations to support survivors of sex trafficking in Nepal, empowering female entrepreneurs in India and facilitating training and resource development for youth mental health organizations in Australia.
About Labor Solutions
Labor Solutions, an impact-focused business, leverages technology to connect, engage and educate workers to build resilient supply chains. Over a million and a half workers in 25 countries have access to Labor Solutions’ worker engagement platform, WOVO. Workers can respond to worker surveys, report grievances and access eLearning modules on rights and responsibilities.