Johannesburg – In celebration of Women’s Month in South Africa, MISA TV is tackling the urgent matter of sexual harassment, which poses a significant threat to dignity, safety, and equality within workplace settings.
In an insightful interview, Nothemba Sonjica, the Acting Manager at the Office of the Commission for Gender Equality, highlighted the vital need for organizations to establish strong, victim-centered policies in line with the Code of Good Practice on Sexual Harassment, as well as to offer ongoing training to employees about acceptable conduct.
Sonjica described sexual harassment as any unwanted behavior of a sexual nature, noting that power dynamics play a crucial role in shaping how victims perceive and respond to such situations.
“For victims, it can be difficult to express their lack of consent or resistance due to feelings of intimidation and coercion,” she explained.
“Intimidation and coercion are recognized in the Sexual Offences legislation, as well as in the realm of sexual harassment.”
“Therefore, when someone reacts in a certain way, it may not genuinely represent their consent or indicate that they approve of the behavior.”
This discussion is contextualized by a high-profile case involving Justice Mbenenge, the Judge President of the Eastern Cape, who is currently facing allegations of sexual harassment.
This case underscores how entrenched power imbalances can silence victims and highlights the responsibility of employers and institutions to create environments where concerns can be raised safely, without the threat of retaliation.
Sexual harassment does not exist in isolation.
It is part of a broader continuum of violence that includes gender-based violence, workplace misconduct, and societal abuse.
Allowing harassment to persist normalizes coercion and intimidation, eroding trust and sustaining cycles of violence.
Eradicating it from workplaces is not just a legal obligation; it is a moral responsibility.
Martlé Keyter, MISA’s CEO of Operations, echoed this perspective: “Workspaces must be safe sanctuaries where dignity is preserved.”
“Employers cannot afford to be casual about this — they need to establish clear policies, educate their teams, and take decisive actions in response to complaints.”
“MISA stands firmly with victims and will persist in its advocacy for harassment-free workplaces.”
You can watch the latest episode of MISA TV here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhw6xXoCbdk
The post MISA TV Commemorates Women’s Month With a Call to Eliminate Sexual Harassment in the Workplace appeared first on The Bulrushes.
