New guidance for the private sector on addressing risks of gender-based violence and harassment

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and UK development finance institution CDC Group (CDC) launched practical guidance to support primarily the private sector in efforts to address gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH).

This form of violence and harassment is a systemic and serious global issue that affects individuals in their workplaces, communities, and homes. Although it can affect anyone, it disproportionately affects women and girls. Worldwide, an estimated one in three women have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence.

In recent years, private sector companies and investors have increasingly recognised gender-based violence and harassment as a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Adequate action can help prevent this issue or mitigate the adverse impacts on survivors and on companies and investors.

The publication, Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Harassment – Emerging Good Practice for the Private Sector, responds to the need raised by companies and investors for practical tools and guidance on emerging best practices to prevent and respond to the risk of violence and harassment.

Gendered violence and harassment, in particular domestic violence, increase during public health emergencies such as the Covid-19 pandemic, further compounding the adverse impacts on employees’ wellbeing, health and safety, and productivity. The United Nations Population Fund impact assessments estimate that an additional 31 million cases of gender-based violence were perpetrated in the first six months alone of the coronavirus pandemic.

“CDC recognises the impact of GBVH and the urgency of addressing a significant and systemic challenge in our markets. This urgency has increased in the wake of Covid-19 as the pandemic has increased the vulnerability of many workers and we know that this also increases risks of GBVH in the workplace and supply chains,” said Mark Eckstein, ESG Director at CDC Group.

For companies and investors, violence and harassment can pose a range of risks, including litigation, loss of profits and reputational damage. Addressing the risks can have many business benefits, including improved productivity and performance, reduced potential for accidents, improved access to skills and talent, and better stakeholder relations.

In addition to the main publication, the EBRD, IFC and CDC Group have also developed three sector-level briefs covering the specific risks and benefits of addressing GBVH in the public transport, manufacturing, and construction sectors.

Read the full report: Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Harassment – Emerging Good Practice for the Private Sector.

Original source: CDC
Published on 14 July 2020