One of the challenges in the workplace, whether in the public or private sector, is the lack of safety and the occurrence of sexual harassment both inside and outside spaces where women work.

The UN conducted a study surveying over 500 women employed in both private and public sectors across seven regions of Kosovo.

The study, titled “Occupational Safety and Health: A Study of sexual harassment at the Workplace in Kosovo in the Public and Private Sector”, has revealed that the most common forms of harassment experienced by women in Kosovo were sexual comments, offensive or inappropriate remarks and persistent unwelcome looks.

It reported that some 70 per cent of women believe that workplace sexual harassment is a common issue, but only 9 per cent have reported experiencing it, or knowing someone who has experienced such harassment.

Of the respondents, 72 per cent answered that they knew the term “sexual harassment” in the workplace while 24 per cent stated that they were not aware of it. Moreover, 84 per cent of the women declared that they had not been sexually harassed in the workplace, while 9 per cent answered that they had been harassed.

Some 66 per cent of those said they had reported it, but only 3 per cent of them reported it to the police, while 52.5 per cent reported it to a supervisor and the rest only told their friends.

According to the survey, approximately 35 per cent of women who have experienced workplace sexual harassment reported a loss of self-confidence as a result, while 32 per cent reported experiencing psychological consequences. Additionally, 31 per cent reported a fear for their safety while at work.

The findings emphasize that sexual harassment is an issue that occurs in the workplace, and that verbal remarks can lead to an unsafe and uncomfortable feeling at work, leading to a significant decrease in work productivity.

Naim Qelaj, the Ombudsman, said the report reflects the cases reported to the Office of the Ombudsman, with three cases reported in 2017 and one or two cases in other years, amounting to a total of 10 reported cases.

However, most of these cases were withdrawn during the procedures, according to Qalaj.

The Chief Inspector of the Labour Inspectorate, Hekuran Nikçi, said that although the Inspectorate does not handle cases of sexual harassment, it has recommended dealing with these cases as well in its comments on the amendment of the Labour Law.

Since 2019, the Criminal Code of Kosovo classifies sexual harassment as a crime punishable by law with a fine or imprisonment of up to three years, particularly if the perpetrator has a position of authority over the victim.

The report states that women believe that sexual harassment is an ongoing issue in the workplace in Kosovo, though those aged 35-54 years were relatively less likely to think this way.

A trainer for the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace, Brikena Avdyli, said younger generations are more likely to report sexual harassment than older women.

The report recommends all employers in Kosovo, public and private sector, to establish internal policies for health and safety management systems in the workplace with an effective and responsible mechanism for prevention, confidential reporting, and protective measures against violence and sexual harassment in the workplace.

According to the Law on Gender Equality, which has been in force since 2015, sexual harassment is “any form of unwanted verbal, non-verbal, or physical behavior of a sexual nature, with the purpose or consequence of affecting or violating the dignity of a person, and to create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.”