Violence and Harassment in the World of Work: Evidence and Insights from West Africa
Chair(s): Ira Postolachi (ILO, Switzerland)
Violence and harassment in the world of work is a widespread, persistent, and recurrent phenomenon, with more than one in five persons in employment having experienced it during their working life (ILO and LRF, 2022). Yet, research and statistics on violence and harassment remain scarce and sporadic, limiting our comprehensive understanding and policy action to prevent and address this scourge. To fill this gap, the ILO and France have launched a technical cooperation project on "Combating violence and harassment in the world of work & Equal remuneration and career opportunities for men and women" (2020-25), with a focus on West Africa.
This Special Session will showcase the innovative, interdisciplinary research initiated by the project to advance knowledge and measurement of violence and harassment in the world of work across West African countries. The session will bring together academics, statisticians and practitioners to present and discuss cutting-edge research and its policy implications for preventing and addressing violence and harassment in the world of work in line with the ILO Violence and Harassment in the World of Work Convention, 2019 (No. 190).
The session will feature presentations of key findings from four major research projects that explore the complex dynamics of violence and harassment in the world of work in West Africa. These projects provide new insights into the socio-cultural, organizational, and legal factors influencing violence and harassment at work, as well as novel data and evidence on the extent and impact of the phenomena. Following the presentations, participants will engage in a lively discussion on the policy implications of these findings, specifically focusing on their relevance to the ratification and implementation of Convention 190 in the region.
Through this exchange of knowledge and experiences, the session aims to highlight innovative measurement approaches of violence and harassment in the world of work, as well as practical steps for strengthening the country approach to preventing and eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work.
Presentations of the Special Session
Violence at Work, Employees’ Wellbeing and Mental Health: Evidence from Abidjan, Dakar and Ouagadougou
Fathi Fakhfakh1, Noel Thiombiano2
1University of Paris II- Panthéon Assas, 2University of Thomas Sankara
The paper explores the effects of workplace violence on workers' well-being and mental health. Using satisfaction with income, work, working conditions, as proxies for well-being, the study examines physical, verbal aggression, and sexual harassment as forms of violence. Data is collected through three surveys in Abidjan, Dakar and Ouagadougou, using the quota and itinerary sampling method to guarantee representativeness. The results show that violence reduces employees’ satisfaction with income, work, working conditions and working hours. Moreover, there are important effects of violence on mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety and stress, with young people and women being particularly affected.
Gender Challenges: The Complex and Multifactorial Reality of Violence and Harassment at Work in Mali and Senegal
Elisabeth Hofmann, Jean-Christophe Lapouble
University of Bordeaux-Montaigne
The paper explores the mobilizations in the fight against violence and harassment in the public service sectors in Senegal and Mali. It deploys a mixed-method approach, combining semi-structured interviews, an online quantitative survey and a multi-stakeholder workshop in Dakar. Key findings reveal a vague perception of harassment, imbued with gender stereotypes, going as far as denial of the problem. Power dynamics, a low incidence of formal complaints and the diversity of reasons for not reporting such incidents, were identified even in the formal structures of the civil service. The social and professional costs of reporting, coupled with the authorities' reluctance to formally address these incidents reinforce opacity and promote impunity, highlighting significant barriers to tackling workplace violence and harassment.
Violence and Inequalities in the Informal Sector in Burkina Faso: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Domestic Work and Waste Management
David Sidbéwendin O. Ilboudo1, Yéda Christophe Banaon2, Aïssata Dabo2, Elsa Tapsoba2
1University Thomas Sankara, Association pour le Développement Durable en Afrique (ADDA), 2Association pour le Développement Durable en Afrique (ADDA)
The study uses an interdisciplinary approach to examine how social representations contribute to violence and inequality in the informal labour sector, specifically within the waste management. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative empirical data collected from target groups, including waste collectors, domestic workers, housemaids, street cleaners, and cleaning staff in businesses and hotels. The findings highlight various vulnerabilities among workers that foster dependency on employment, as well as power dynamics between employers and workers that result in symbolic domination, explicit forms of violence and harassment. The study also identifies sociological, legal, and organizational determinants contributing to these issues. The paper concludes that public action could help reduce violence and harassment in the informal labour sector.
Labour Market Challenges in West Africa: What Impacts of Violence and Harassment?
Lewis Landry Gakpa1, Rodrigue Mare2
1National School of Statistics and Applied Economics (ENSEA), 2National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INSD) of Burkina Faso
The paper aims to quantify and understand the extent of violence and harassment in the world of work. Based on the ILO survey and protocol on the Well-being and Safety of Workers, this study conducts three pilot surveys in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Burkina Faso to explore the prevalence of violence and harassment at work, profiles of victims and perpetrators, as well as the impact on workers’ well-being. Using a mixed-methods approach combining both quantitative and qualitative methods, the study also unpacks the reasons of under-reporting and its implications for policy interventions. The results highlight the high prevalence of psychological, physical, and sexual violence and harassment at work and the significant impacts on mental, physical, and economic well-being. It concludes with recommendations on strengthening prevention and support mechanisms, alongside gender-sensitive public policies, to addressing these issues and promote safe, fair, and human rights-respecting work environments.
