Politics

China’s first guidance on combating sexual harassment of women in the workplace gets mixed response

China has released its first set of guidelines on combating sexual harassment of women in the workplace, but the move has been met with a mixed response.

The guidelines, released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the All-China Women’s Federation and the National Health Commission, call for stricter oversight of workplace sexual harassment and greater protection of victims.

The document, which is aimed at employers, calls for the establishment of anti-harassment mechanisms, such as a harassment reporting system, a mechanism for handling complaints and a system for resolving disputes. It also encourages companies to establish anti-harassment policies and to educate employees about the issue.

The guidelines come after a number of high-profile cases of sexual harassment in China. In 2018, a former professor at China’s prestigious Peking University was accused of sexually harassing several female students. The case sparked a nationwide debate about the prevalence of sexual harassment in China and the need for better protection for women in the workplace.

However, some experts have expressed concern that the guidelines may not be enough to address the issue. They argue that the guidelines are too vague and lack enforcement mechanisms.

“The guidelines lack specifics and don’t provide a clear roadmap for companies on how to implement the measures,” said Li Yinhe, a sociologist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Others have criticized the guidelines for focusing too much on the victim and not enough on the perpetrator.

“The guidelines should also provide specific measures to punish those who engage in sexual harassment,” said Li Tingting, an activist from the Beijing-based Women’s Rights in China organization.

Despite these concerns, the guidelines have been welcomed by some as a step in the right direction.

“This is a welcome move by the government and will hopefully help to protect women from sexual harassment in the workplace,” said Yan Haili, a professor of gender studies at Beijing Normal University.

The guidelines come as the Chinese government has stepped up its efforts to tackle gender inequality in recent years. In 2016, the government introduced a “National Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women’s Development”, which called for the promotion of gender equality and the elimination of gender discrimination.

The release of the guidelines on combating sexual harassment of women in the workplace is seen as another step forward in the fight against gender inequality in China. But experts say it is only the first step and that more needs to be done to ensure that the guidelines are effectively implemented.