From The Straits Times    |
Gender-equality group AWARE launches the new Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Advisory (WHDA) service

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While the #MeToo movement has successfully ignited conversations about workplace sexual harassment, there are still a significant number of women who face harassment at work.

According to gender-equality group Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE), workplace-related harassment or discrimination cases have been steadily on the rise. They have gone up in number at AWARE over the past few years, from 190 in 2017 to 280 in 2018.

 

 

More recently, AWARE has launched its new Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Advisory (WHDA) service. It is a free service providing advice and support (both practical and emotional) to individuals facing discrimination or harassment at work.

The WHDA is primarily aimed at women to tackle all types of discrimination and harassment to quash any expression of misogyny or inequality. It is open to any person aged 18 and above working in Singapore.

The WHDA will guide victims through all your various options, internal or external—including approaching your company’s HR or the Tripartite Alliance for Fair & Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP), or filing a mediation request with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM).

Shailey Hingorani, head of advocacy and research for AWARE says: “Gender inequality and discrimination manifests itself in quiet ways that aren’t often picked up, in unpaid care work and unequal pay for equal work. This new service is meant to give women a platform to speak out without fear.” 

 

 

The WHDA also provides support for a host of other discrimination issues including, gender, race, religion, nationality, disability, family responsibilities, sexual orientation and more.

 

 

Call the WHDA helpline at 6950 9191 from Monday to Friday (10am to 6pm) to make an appointment with a specialised advisor.

Alternative numbers to call for help are:

Women’s Care Centre: 1800 777-5555 (Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6pm)

Sexual Assault Care Centre: 6779 0282 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm)

For more information, visit http://www.aware.org.sg

 

ALSO READ: THE ACHIEVING WOMAN’S GUIDE TO…STAYING SANE IN A TOXIC WORKPLACE