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“We have received physical harassment cases but in particular we received a lot of sexual harassment cases.” Joyce Kimani, Secretary General of Kenya Correspondent Association said this at a forum sharing a recent survey on sexual harassment in the media in Kenya.
According to this survey dubbed HESHIMA (Highlighting and Eliminating Sexual Harassment and abuse In the MediA), 9 out of 10 respondents say that sexual harassment perpetrators are mostly likely to be biased towards sexual harassment perpetrators, or against sexual harassment victims when covering these stories.
The survey by Roshani Consultancy Services that was released on the 18th of June, 2019 showed that 94% of the respondents believed that sexual harassment and abuse is a problem in media houses in Kenya. The survey included 10 male and 60 female respondents.
Mary Kiio, Director of Roshani Consultancy Services, shared the genesis of the survey “In 2018 we had a media chat forum, where we brought together journalists from various media houses, and at the end of the event we asked them what some of the issues that they wanted addressed in future forums, and highest on the list was around sexual harassment and abuse and that gave us now the impetus to realize that we needed to do something, around ensuring that we have this conversation. But before we even had the conversation, we realized that it is important for us to collect some form of evidence, because we cannot just be saying that there is sexual harassment without tangible proof.”
Joyce Kimani, said that, following the #MeToo global movement, she did a six months investigation that resulted to an expose published by Mail and Guardian South Africa, on the plight of journalists facing sexual harassment and abuse in newsroom in Kenya. “It was to allow journalists also tell their own stories and that is how I recorded so many reports of journalists who have been harassed.” She said.
At the forum, participants shared their experience with sexual harassment and the culture that enables it. From implicit forms where victims have a hard time to prove the allegations to explicit practices where evidence included witnesses.
Ms. Kimani further shared that some female journalists decided to quit after ongoing sexual harassment cases. “Unfortunately some of the sexual harassment victims ended their media careers, and this is something we want to stop.” 88% of the HESHIMA survey respondents say that sexual harassment in the newsroom affects victims’ career paths.
The HESHIMA survey shows that some journalists have been suffering silently, while telling other people`s stories. Roshani is using this survey as a baseline to not only sensitizes the media fraternity on this issue, but to also get sexual harassment policies in media institutions, where it was revealed that only Kenya Broadcasting Corporation has one. Roshani believes that policies and proper training, coupled with tougher consequences for perpetrators will reduce, if not eliminate cases of sexual harassment in newsrooms.
A Journalist and Media consultant, Frenny Jowi who was present at the forum, wants every media stakeholder to be responsible so as to bring to an end, the claims on sexual harassments at workplaces
“Everyone should act, managers in newsrooms, media owners and the journalists themselves.” Ms Jowi appealed. HESHIMA Survey reveals that sexual harassment is a taboo subject in the newsroom with more than half of the respondent expressing hesitation or absolute objection to discussing the matter publicly. “The newsroom is so important because this is where we tell stories about our country and about our world and it only makes sense if that can be done in an environment where the journalists themselves feel safe. So all I can say is, it takes the responsibility of each and every one of us to work to make newsrooms safer for every journalist or every other professional practicing there.” Frenny Says.
Kenya Employment Act 2007 directs employers with at least twenty employees, to issue a sexual harassment policy; however, there are companies that do not comply with this law. More than half of the respondents in the survey did not know if their institutions had a sexual harassment and abuse policy.
“We know very many companies that do not have policies but that is a violation of the law.” Says Mary Kambo, a labour expert with Kenya Human Rights Commission. “The Act also goes on to define what sexual harassment is, it gives quite a broad explanation because it provides for direct or indirect acts of sexual nature.” She adds. Mary has handled many cases of sexual harassment. “It is important that we understand that sexual harassment does not necessarily have to be physical. It can be visual, non-verbal or verbal, as long as it is an act of sexual nature that is unwanted and is unwelcome to the recipient.“ She elaborates.
Ms Kambo commends the courts for being progressive in determining cases on sexual harassment. “As long as the victim is able to adduce evidence in court.” She concludes
Media Council of Kenya, MCK CEO David Omwoyo-confirms being aware of reports on claims of sexual harassment in newsrooms “They are sometimes a little grey and not clear so that even if you want to react to them, you are unable. So critically, the problem must be pinpointed.” Says Omwoyo. “It is about the balance of power in the news room, the decision making and sometimes the ecosystem.” He adds. MCK is working on a mentorship program that will use veteran journalists to guide younger journalists on various issues. Omwoyo, believes that the issue of sexual harassment will also be covered.
HESHIMA survey highlights what is perceived to be common knowledge in the media fraternity in Kenya. Some of the participants at the forum share how, over twenty years ago when they joined media it was still an issue. Roshani seeks to advocate for safer newsrooms for all through this initiative.
