An Examination of the United Nation’s Effectiveness in Tackling Sexual Harassment: A Case Study of Un Office Workers and Peacekeepers in Ghana

ABSTRACT 

Sexual harassment has become a bane globally and while most organizations have adopted some form of resistance towards it, others have treated it like a “white elephant”, and would rather adopt a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy with respect sexual harassment. One very important global institution is the United Nations. The purpose of this research is to provide an insight into sexual harassment and how deep this phenomenon has eaten into society. In doing so, this paper seeks to marry the issue of sexual harassment with the policies of the UN against it, considering the fact that they have adopted a zero-tolerance policy to sexual harassment. While using data from both primary and secondary sources which will be analyzed qualitatively, this research makes use of the organizational theory in examining how robust the policies of the UN are in tackling sexual harassment within its walls. The study ultimately concludes that even though policies against sexual harassment exist in the UN, the organization has not been able to effectively implement them due to some reasons like the position of the OIOS. Issues like the abuse of authority and that of legal immunity have in more ways than one crippled the activities and the reach of the OIOS and by extension, the UN. The study recommends that the OIOS should adopt an all-inclusive approach in dealing with the issue of sexual harassment as well as conduct training sessions for employees and supervisors alike as this would act as a preventive measure against sexual harassment.