An Egyptian initiative working to end social acceptability of sexual harassment launched a campaign on Monday encouraging women to inquire about a workplace’s internal policies prior to accepting a job.

In a statement on Monday, the campaign said it aims to eliminate sexual harassment in workplaces through raising women’s awareness about their rights.

The Egyptian initiative HarassMap, launched in 2010, highlighted the importance for women to understand the internal policies in workplaces before accepting a job offer, saying that women should make sure that work internal policies include clear penalties to confront sexual harassment in workplaces.

A study by the Egyptian Labor Union in 2014 showed that 30 percent of women in Egypt are subjected to verbal harassment in the workplace.

HarassMap communication director Aliya Soliman told Aswat Masriya that the campaign is part of a larger one that started in 2015 under the slogan “Safe Corporates.” The campaign aims “to transform workplaces in Egypt into zero tolerance to sexual harassment.”

HarassMap also partnered with app-based car service Uber to give trainings to Uber drivers on the different types of sexual harassment and how to confront harassment.

Soliman said the campaign aims to change society’s idea on harassment which places the blame on women.

A study by UN Women in 2013 said that 99 percent of Egyptian women have been subjected to harassment. The National Council for Human Rights in November 2012 said that 70 percent of women are harassed in the streets, public spaces and transportation.

This content is from Aswat Masriya

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