The first episode discussed the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace as one of the most important obstacles for women entering the labor market. The episode came under the title “What is not normal with your colleague at work,” and dealt with practical mechanisms which make the work environment safe for everyone. The TV program is presented by “Nehad Abolkomsan,” a Female Senior Lawyer and the Chairwoman of the Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights.
Abolkomsan asserted that harassment in the workplace is one of the worst forms of violence against women, because they have to deal with the harasser on a permanent basis, which leads women to leave work if they do not find appropriate prevention and protection mechanisms, which creates a safe work environment.
Videos of campaigns to confront sexual harassment in the workplace were presented. They were produced by Plan International Egypt as part of its efforts to support and empower girls. An infographic on the rates and statistics of harassment in the workplace was also displayed, in order to understand the problem and how to confront it.
Abolkomsan called for adopting firm and influential policies and procedures to combat sexual harassment in the workplace, because the victim of harassment, whether a woman or a man, may be afraid to file report in order to maintain her / his work.
Abolkomsan provided a few pieces of advice for women in order to stop sexual harassment in the workplace, including the firm look, refusal to deal with the harasser, and keeping a distance in talking with other parties, and if the harasser did not stop, a complaint must be filed against him/her.
In the “inspirational characters” segment, Nehad Abulkomsan interviewed Souhaila Ashraf, a 16-year-old girl, who despite her young age, started many community initiatives to stop bullying, sexual harassment and early marriage. She also assumed the position of Director of the International Organization for Migration for one day on the International Day of the Girl. Souhaila started her career in public work at the age of 10, when she was bullied by school colleagues. Her mother helped her in filing a complaint against her colleagues to the school principal. Since then, she began her first initiative “Stop Bullying” and she continued her public work with many initiatives that seek to provide safety for girls.
The episode ended with answering audience questions, that are usually received via the facebook page “Nehad’s Stories / Hekayat_Nehad”. “Hekayat Nehad” (Nehad’s Stories) is a television program which tackles women’s rights through simplifying knowledge and information produced by civil society, that is related to the empowerment of women in all political, economic, social and legal fields, as well as reducing violence. It is based on the simple act of conversation, exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as interacting with the audience through questions.
The program is shown on the ‘Al Kahera Wal Nas’ TV channel every Saturday at 05:30 pm and is replayed on ‘Al Kahera Wal Nas’ (1) every Monday at 11:30 am and on TV channel ‘Al Kahera Wal Nas’ (2) every Wednesday at 09:00 pm.
