ANCWL decries trivialization of workplace sexual harassment by opposition

23 June 2015

The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) supports the call by ANC Chief Whip Stone Sizani for parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests to investigate whether the conduct of so-called ‘DA sex pest’ Archibold Figlan violated the ethical conduct expected of all MP’s.

Such a probe is a logical extension of the ANC’s commitment to building a South Africa based on non-sexism and discrimination, where the rights of women to a workplace free of harassment are strictly enforced.

In this regard, the ANCWL notes with concern comments by representatives of the Democratic Alliance (DA) that appear to trivialize the offence committed by Figlan against a female subordinate.

Such incidents are particularly damaging when directed at junior women hoping to advance in both the private and public sector but who continue to face workplace discrimination and marginalization.

The ANCWL further endorses such a probe because experience has shown there to be a double standard at play by the DA and certain sections of the media.

Reading the paucity of media coverage, one would have assume this to be an insignificant matter involving a minor functionary, not a sexual assault perpetrated by the Deputy Spokesperson of the official opposition in the South African Parliament.

Furthermore, comments given in media interviews by DA representatives referring to the sexual assault as a ‘stupid mistake’, and explaining away the minor sanction because Figlan had ‘suffered enough’ humiliation of seeing his name and face plastered across newspapers and social media, betray a deplorable hypocrisy.

The opposition consistently does not shy away from relying on gossip to tarnish the reputations of officials in government –in particular, members and supporters of the ANC.

Certain sections of the media have not hesitated to carry such untested allegations, claiming them to be ‘in the public interest’ - in blatant violation of both the Press Code as well as the Constitutional right to privacy and dignity.

“The reliance on second-hand information and anonymous sources has become a cover under which unprincipled journalists continue to get away with making allegations that were they tested in a court of law, would be tantamount to libel, “ says ANCWL Head of Communications Edna Molewa.

The ANCWL calls on the parliamentary opposition and indeed on all South Africans to refrain from downplaying the very serious matter of sexual assault in the workplace.

 As the DA Figlan episode has shown, women will continue to suffer in silence so long as the perception exists that men in powerful positions will have their version of events believed over those of the complainant.

The League further calls on the media to report robustly on such matters; in the interests of gender justice, and not political expediency.

Statement issued by ANC Women`s League spokesperson, Edna Molewa, June 23 2015