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Sexual harassment in an east African agribusiness supply chain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

Susie Jacobs ,
Bénédicte Brahic  and
Marta Medusa Olaiya
Susie Jacobs*
Affiliation:
Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
Bénédicte Brahic
Affiliation:
Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
Marta Medusa Olaiya
Affiliation:
Women Working Worldwide, UK
*
Susie Jacobs, Department of Sociology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manton Building, Rosamund Street West, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6LL, UK. Email: s.jacobs@mmu.ac.uk
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Abstract

This article discusses sexual harassment in the east African cut-flower and horticultural industry, based on research on 62 farms in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It argues that sexual harassment is fostered both by coercive labour conditions within global value chains and by existing hierarchical gender relations. The research finds that harassment is widespread, that many lack a vocabulary to describe or discuss this, and that female casual and temporary workers are most likely to be targeted. Action research coupled with organisation of workers, however, has been effective in giving ‘voice’ to those suffering harassment: this is a first step in a feminist labour mobilisation and policy formulation. Procedures against sexual harassment are beginning to be formulated: a key concern is implementation. Addressing sexual harassment is central in ensuring the security of working people, particularly the most marginalised.

Keywords

D63F02J53Decent workgenderglobal value networkslabour rightsoccupational safetysexual harassmenttrade unionsvulnerable workers
Type
Articles
Information
The Economic and Labour Relations Review , Volume 26 , Issue 3: Special Collection: Women’s Agency at Work , September 2015 , pp. 393 - 410
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2015

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