The Violence and Harassment Convention (C190), adopted on July 2019 by the International Labour Organization (ILO), defines “violence and harassment” and “gender-based violence and harassment,” stipulates who the convention seeks to protect, and outlines the workplaces in which people are protected. The Convention protects workers in every sector – private, public, formal, informal, urban, and rural – and in every contractual status, including those whose employment was terminated and jobseekers.
Article 4 of the Convention obligates that Members create an “inclusive, integrated and gender-responsive approach” to prevent and eliminate violence and harassment at the work, including by:
-
Prohibiting in law violence and harassment
-
Ensuring that relevant policies address violence and harassment
-
Adopting a comprehensive strategy in order to implement measures to prevent and combat violence and harassment
-
Establishing or strengthening enforcement and monitoring mechanisms
-
Ensuring access to remedies and support for victims
-
Providing for sanctions
-
Developing tools, guidance, education and training, and raising awareness, in accessible formats as appropriate
-
Ensuring effective means of inspection and investigation of cases of violence and harassment
Marie Clarke-Walker, member of the ILO governing body and worker spokesperson, talks about how negotiators were able to use the #MeToo movement as evidence that “these things [gender-based violence and harassment] are … happening,” as “it’s all over the media.” According to Clarke-Walker, the Violence and Harassment Convention is the first binding ILO convention that defines and includes gender-based violence and harassment.
Compiled from: Violence and Harassment Convention, June 21, 2019, U.N.I.L.O No. 190.; Stewart, Philippa H., Interview: Protecting All Workers, Everywhere, Human Rights Watch (August 1, 2019).