First UN resolution on sexual harassment

The resolution, urges States to take action to prevent and eliminate sexual harassment against women and girls. In addition, the resolution aims to eliminate structural causes and risk factors in order to better protect victims from all forms of violence, including sexual harassment. It calls on States to acknowledge the discrimination that places women and girls at risk of exploitation, violence, abuse, and to, more importantly, take appropriate actions to empower and protect women and girls.

The resolution also demands that States take measures to ensure that employers in all sectors are held accountable for any violations of sexual harassment laws and regulations.

Furthermore, the goals of the resolution are to be applied equally within digital contexts. The resolution asks that States  entrust Digital Technology companies, including Internet services and digital platforms, to strengthen and adopt positive measures in an effort to eliminate violence and sexual harassment.

In general, the resolution urges States to honor, promote and protect women’s human rights to adequate health and sexual and reproductive rights.

France and the Netherlands led negotiations on the draft which this year for the first time included language on combating sexual harassment, in response to the #MeToo movement. President Donald Trump's administration sought to scrap language in the non-binding resolution on access to reproductive health care services, safe abortions and recognizing the right of women to decide on matters related to their sexuality.  However despite backing from Russia, China, India, several Muslim countries and the Vatican, the US failed to water down the UN resolution on combatting sexual harassment and violence against women.

Download the UN Resolution on sexual harassment and violence against women in English - French - Spanish

For more information, see:

• PSI's statement on 25 November - Ending workplace violence and harassment in public services
• Read PSI's op-ed: Women are most likely to be affected by violence in the workplace, but we are all victims
• PSI Asia Pacific Campaign Toolkit: Advance Labour Rights! End gender-based violence.
  Use the toolkit online: http://paiddvleavenow.com/
• PSI’s pages on Ending violence against women
• UN Resolution on sexual harassment and violence against women English - French - Spanish
• PSI’s campaign materials calling for an ILO Convention and Recommendation to End Violence and Harassment in the World of Work
• PSI publication “Tackling gender-based violence in the world of work – experiences in the health sector”
• PSI publication “Tax justice and gender justice in Africa: Study on tax and public services impact on women and girls in Ghana”
• 6^th Violence in the Health Sector conference: A commitment to collective action to eliminate workplace violence in the health sector