16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. The campaign runs every year from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day. It was initiated in 1991 by the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute, held by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) at Rutgers University.
To help build better workplaces, BCGE encourages businesses in Myanmar to understand the impact of GBV, harassment and bullying on businesses and employees.
In this campaign, BCGE is partnering with the IFC, the Gender Equality Network (GEN), Akhaya Women, and DKT Myanmar to address GBV in the context of COVID-19 and how to create a safe and equal workplace free of harassment, discrimination and bullying.
In 2020, the Campaign will increase its efforts to amplify the importance of ending gender-based violence at the workplace and at home, particularly as many globally transition to working from home. BCGE aims to help businesses, particularly top management and HR practitioners, with organizational development to build better workplaces free of harassment, discrimination and bullying, particularly during COVID-19.
We have planned a series of informative and engaging events to raise awareness about harassment and GBV, particularly for the business sector in Myanmar. Our range of events includes the launch of our highly anticipated HR Club, a bi-monthly learning event bringing together HR practitioners and people managers to share best practices across a range of workplace gender equality-related topics. In addition, we’re also launching a new training module to provide organizations with the tools to build a safe and happy workplace free of harassment. We also have exciting webinars lined up together with our partners, including the IFC, GEN, Akhaya Women, MCRB and DKT Myanmar.
To kick off our 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, BCGE is launching a new training module to help businesses and organizations tackle workplace harassment. Addressing workplace harassment is fundamental for business success and sustainability. Fostering safe and happy workplaces free of bullying, violence, and harassment can increase employee retention rates, reduce absenteeism, decrease financial costs of productivity loss and turnover, and overall build a stronger organizational reputation. Join us to learn from our team of in-house experts about the most common types of harassment in the workplace and how your organization can benefit from anti-harassment policies, practices, and mechanisms.
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Time: 10 am – 11 am
Location: Launch Event via Zoom
Registration: Free for members, 10,000 MMK per person for non-members
Language: Myanmar only
In partnership with the Gender Equality Network, Akhaya Women, and DKT Myanmar, we will provide an overview of the current state of GBV in Myanmar. Our panelists will discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on increased risks of GBV and domestic violence, especially as most organizations have transitioned back to working from home. For many, this means being exposed to a higher risk of violence and abuse. Join us to learn about national laws related to harassment and GBV, country-level and regional facts and figures, and the long-term impacts to Myanmar’s future workforce.
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2020
Time: 10 am – 11 am
Location: Panel Talk via Zoom
Registration: Free and open to the public
Language: Myanmar only
This joint-webinar with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) will explore the role of businesses and employers in preventing and tackling GBV especially during COVID. We will discuss findings and recommendations from the IFC’s recent guidance note on COVID-19 and Gender-Based Violence: Workplace Risks and Responses. This webinar seeks to inform employers about the heightened risks of gender-based violence as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and outline ways in which employers can address these risks, improve employee and community well-being, and create a safe and resilient workplace. Join us to learn what you can do as an employer to support employees at risk during COVID.
Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Time: 1 pm – 2:30 pm
Location: Webinar via Zoom
Registration: Free and open to the public
Language: English with Myanmar live translation
On December 3 this year, during the annual celebration of people with disabilities, the 2020 theme ‘Not all Disabilities are Visible’ focuses on spreading awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent, such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, sight or hearing impairments, diabetes, brain injuries, neurological disorders, learning differences and cognitive dysfunctions, among others. In this webinar with the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business, hear from experts on how to create a workplace free of harassment and bullying against people with disabilities.
Date: Thursday, December 3, 2020
Time: 10 am – 11 am
Location: Facebook Live
Registration: Free and open to the public
Language: Myanmar only
BCGE is pleased to announce the launch of our highly anticipated HR Club! The HR Club is a bi-monthly learning event bringing together HR practitioners and people managers to share best practices across a range of workplace gender equality-related topics. In our inaugural session as part of our 16 Days Campaign, we’ll focus on how to tackle harassment in the workplace through practical policy, practices, and organizational culture change. You’ll get a chance to share best practices with peers, ask questions, and take a deep dive into practical approaches to build safe and happy workplaces for employees of all genders and backgrounds.
Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Location: Meeting via Zoom
Registration: Free for members, 10,000 MMK per person for non-members
Language: Myanmar only
Kenneth Tling
Business Development & Communications Officer