PNP WOMEN'S MOVEMENT calls out Portland Municipal Corp on sexual harassment issue -
Kingston, Jamaica, October 17, 2018: The People’s National Party Women’s Movement (PNPWM) is calling on the government to immediately debate and pass the Sexual Harassment Bill of 2016 so that sexual predators who prey on women can be brought to book.
The call is in response to emerging news reports pointing to the dismissal of a female employee of the Portland Municipal Corporation (PMC) after allegations that she refused sexual advances and harassment by a sitting councillor of the municipality.
The matter was discussed at a recent meeting of the PMC after Mayor Paul Thompson announced a reshuffling exercise.
The PNPWM says the matter of sexual harassment is a very serious one which demeans women and place them at a disadvantage in the work environment.
The women's organization said for too long some women, many of whom are single mothers, have been forced by unscrupulous men into granting sexual favour in order to keep jobs and ensure the economic likelihood of their households and children.
“We strongly condemn sexual harassment in any shape or form, and in this case the accused Councillor should do the honourable thing and resign as his actions cannot and should not be tolerated,” PNPWM President Jennifer Edwards said.
Ms Edward said it is full time for the government to re-table, debate and pass the Sexual Harassment Bill which has been sitting in the Lower House ‘gathering dust’ since February 2016 while an increasing number of women continue to be assaulted by misogynists.
“Women must have legal recourse against sexual harassment. We cannot stand and allow victims of these unwelcomed and shameful advances to be repeatedly victimised as is being reported in this case. This young woman had to suffer the indignity of being harassed and in addition, she has lost her job, ” Ms Edwards said.
The PNPWM said the young woman in the Portland situation must be immediately reinstated in her job as this is the right and just thing to do.
Contact: Jennifer Edwards, PNPWM, President