Capacity Building on Preventing & Handling Sexual Harassment at Workplace

Synopsis:

Mera Maan was entrusted with the task of designing and facilitating a capacity building program for the Senior Management of the National Institute of Banking & Finance (NIBAF), State Bank of Pakistan. The program focused on enhancing the understanding of gender sensitivity, unconscious gender bias, and discrimination to improve the organizational performance and culture. Additionally, it aimed to equip the participants with a comprehensive understanding of sexual harassment at the workplace, existing mechanisms, and relevant laws to address such issues within their organizations. Through experiential exercises, the attendees learned to apply the concepts and knowledge gained, empowering them to take concrete steps towards fostering a dignified work environment.

Narrative of the Project Description:

Background:

The National Institute of Banking & Finance (NIBAF) recognized the importance of creating an inclusive and respectful work environment. Addressing issues related to gender sensitivity, unconscious bias, and sexual harassment was crucial to promote a workplace culture that values and respects the dignity of all employees. To achieve this, the institute sought assistance from Mera Maan to conduct a capacity-building program for its Senior Management team.

Objectives:

– Enhance participants’ understanding of gender sensitivity, unconscious gender bias, and discrimination to foster an improved organizational performance and culture.
– Provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of sexual harassment at the workplace and familiarize them with the available mechanisms and laws to address such issues within their organizations.
– Equip the participants with practical knowledge through experiential exercises, enabling them to take concrete steps towards creating a dignified work environment.

Project Impact:

The capacity-building program successfully empowered the Senior Management of the National Institute of Banking & Finance (NIBAF) with valuable insights and skills to address gender-related issues, unconscious biases, and sexual harassment effectively. By enhancing their understanding and knowledge in these areas, the participants gained the confidence to create a more inclusive and respectful work environment within their organization. As a result, the program’s impact extended beyond NIBAF, positively influencing the workplace cultures of commercial banks and other large organizations, where senior executives from SBP subsidiaries and other institutions were also in attendance. The initiative contributed to fostering a safer and more supportive work environment for all employees, promoting a culture of dignity and respect.