Skopje, 20 October 2021 (MIA) – The independent research organization Reactor – Research in Action, has launched an online campaign to raise awareness against sexual harassment in the workplace. The campaign consists of several informative messages which aim to get the citizens acquainted with the various forms of workplace sexual harassment, the laws that make this a felony, as well as give examples based on anonymously shared experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace, all part of Reactor’s study. “According to the research findings about gender-based discrimination on the labor market in North Macedonia, sexual harassment in the workplace is highly represented and, unfortunately, normalized in some form. Research shows that few dare to report it, despite it being punishable by law,” the organization said. Reactor says that sexual harassment is any form of unwanted verbal, nonverbal or physical action of a sexual nature which aims or results in hurt dignity or creating a threatening, degrading or frightening environment, approach or practice. “Sexual harassment in the workplace is a form of discrimination, which is punishable by law according to the Criminal Code and one can get 6 months to 5 years in prison. In addition, according to the Law on the Protection from and Prevention of Discrimination, sexual harassment also results in monetary fines up to EUR 10,000,” the organization said. This campaign is also being conducted in five other countries of the Western Balkans which are partnered up with Reactor in this project – Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project will last for 11 days, from the 18th to the 30th of October. Reactor encourages victims of sexual harassment to report it to the State Labor Inspectorate, the Committee for the Prevention of and Protection from Discrimination, and civil organizations which secure free primary legal aid, or the police. The campaign is part of the “Fight against discrimination and improvement of women’s rights as workers” initiative, backed by the European Commission and co-funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). dk/ba/