Contributed by: Vilana Pilinkaite-Sotirovic, Lithuania National VAW Monitor
On 7 March 2006, the Office of Ombudsperson for Equal Opportunities of Lithuania provided the information on advanced legal situation against sexual harassment in Lithuania in comparison to Poland and Latvia. However, as the Ombudsperson, Ausrine Burneikiene, argued, it is not enough to effectively elaborate the legal basis. It is important to educate society in order to improve sensitivity and visibility to the problem. Statistics shows that in 2005 only three cases were investigated on sexual harassment in Lithuania; in the western countries, 15-20 percent of women experience the sexual harassment at a job, but only one-third of them apply to the court to defend their rights.
In March 2006, under the project “Safe at work” there will be organized a public information campaign targeted to problem of sexual exploitation of women. During the campaign, women will be consulted on the problems of sexual harassment and seminars organized for employers and employees and university students.
Compiled from: Public announcement Lietuvos istatymai gina moteris prieš seksualini priekabiavima darbe (Laws in Lithuania protect women against sexual harrasement at work) 7 March 2006. Representative of Public Relations of the Office of Ombudsman for Equal Opportunities; Loreta Pakutke; Public Relation company "Publicum;" El. paštas.:l.pakutke@publicum.lt