sexual harassment in Malaysia

The sexual harassment situation in Malaysia...

Sexual harassment in the workplace has become a serious problem with adverse consequences for women workers, especially now that their numbers have increased in the labour force. Research conducted from 2000 to 2001 found that 35% of the 1,483 respondents from six pioneer companies had experienced one or more forms of sexual harassment in their workplace. A significantly higher proportion of female than male respondents indicated that they had experienced such harassment which ranged from dirty jokes (verbal) to visual and physical harassment. As a result of such harassment, many of the victims felt insecure and said that their personal security was being threatened. Those who were interviewed reported “feelings of fear, confusion, shock and anger”.

Although the Malaysian government has adopted a Code of Practice with the laudable intention of eradicating sexual harassment in the workplace, this does not have the legal force to compel all companies to adopt sexual harassment policies. As a result, sexual harassment, with all its detrimental consequences, continues unabated.