SABC gets recognition, agreement

UN recognition

On the evening of 8 March 2011, International Women's Day, the UN recognised the top seven South African companies committed to eradicating sexual harassment in the workplace, which included the SABC. The award was endorsed by UN secretary-general, Ban Ki Moon as part of the Campaign to End Violence against Women.

The event was attended by the UN resident coordinator, Dr Agostinho Zacharias, UN Women southern Africa director Nomcebo Manzini, International Labour Organisation country director, Vic van Vuuren, among other dignitaries. "We commit to making this event an annual event as we strive to advance the cause of women who are the mothers of the nation," said Manzini.

The SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said, "This certificate says we are striving to create an environment that will not inhibit women's wishes to have productive days at work and by so doing, we are also taking in cognizance the impact this problem has on productivity. Over the years, the corporation has made different strides, such as holding workshops and creating policy, which ensures that employees are aware of their rights and are protected when it comes to sexual harassment"

This year it was celebrated under the theme: "Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women."

Entertainment industry amongst top offenders

Research conducted in South Africa by the Sexual Harassment Education Project has proven that 77% of women and 20% of men in the country have experienced sexual harassment at some point in their working life. Of this figure 67% of all sexual harassment is committed by men against women.

The findings also revealed that sexual harassment is mostly suffered in security services, construction, mining, the entertainment industry and the informal sectors at large. It is against this background that the SABC has been applauded for putting in place mechanisms that makes the workplace a better place, especially for women.

Labour agreement

Following a number of meetings between organised labour (represented by The Media Workers Association of South Africa (MWASA), the Broadcasting, Electronic Media and Allied Workers Union (BEMAWU) and Communications Workers Union (CWU)) and the SABC, the parties have agreed they:

• will engage on an ongoing basis in terms of applicable laws and legislation;
• agree on the frequency of meetings;
• agree on the sharing of information and providing input in relation to activities pertinent to the SABC and in particular, its turnaround strategy.