EU agencies stand strong against harassment

The heads of EU Agencies have joined forces to reaffirm a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment at work. European Training Foundation Director Cesare Onestini is one of 41 signatories to the joint declaration on harassment, published to coincide with International Women’s Day 8 March, 2018.

“Equality is one of the fundamental values on which the European Union is built. Gender-based violence, including sexual harassment, is one of the most extreme manifestations of inequality and discrimination,” the declaration (available here) reads.

“Cases of sexual harassment and bullying, while significantly underreported, are a matter of health, safety and well-being in the workplace and need to be responded to effectively and in accordance with existing laws.”

“Together, we the heads of EU agencies and Joint undertakings commit to zero tolerance towards sexual harassment and we cannot and will not accept harassment of any form in our agencies.”

Under Article 12a of the EU Staff Regulations, EU officials must refrain from any form of psychological or sexual harassment.

The EU and its Agencies

The ETF is part of the network of autonomous agencies assisting with the implementation of EU policy. Located across Europe, the agencies add value by enhancing dialogue, information and expertise exchange to support Member States and the EU institutions.

The European Institute for Gender Equality, for example, is the agency tasked with promoting gender equality and the fight against sex-based discrimination. More information about the EU Agencies’ Network available here.

International Women’s Day

Celebrated globally on 8 March, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women in developed and developing countries alike. The 2018 theme #PressforProgress is a call-to-action to progress gender parity.