MenEngage Alliance Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures

The MenEngage Alliance Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures is a comprehensive document that outlines the global alliance’s commitment to preventing and responding to all forms of sexual violence, with a particular focus on sexual harassment.

It recognizes that sexual violence, including harassment, can occur within the Alliance’s own circles and aims to fill any gaps in prevention and response capabilities among its members and partners. This policy is intended to complement national laws and serves as a commitment from the Alliance to address these issues.

The policy defines sexual violence as an umbrella term encompassing sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation, all of which involve an abuse of power. It details specific instances of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse, including physical, verbal, non-verbal, and digital conduct. The document emphasizes a survivor-centered approach and incorporates principles of restorative justice in its response mechanisms.

Key aspects of the policy include:

• Prevention strategies: Cultural transformation, annual training and awareness-raising, rigorous vetting and recruitment procedures, and wide dissemination of the policy.
• Reporting mechanisms: Channels for reporting incidents, including direct communication, an online form, and email, with options for anonymity.
• Complaint processing: Guidelines for receiving and processing complaints, offering both informal and formal complaint mechanisms, and reporting crimes when applicable.
• Review Committee: Establishment of an impartial committee to conduct formal investigations.
• Consequences and Reparation: Outlines potential consequences for perpetrators, which can range from dialogue and written warnings to removal from leadership positions or termination, and also details reparations for targets of sexual harassment.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: A commitment to continuously evaluate the policy’s implementation and make findings publicly available

Who will find this resource useful?

This resource will be particularly useful for:

• MenEngage Global Alliance Staff, Board members, officers, volunteers, interns, and consultants: As they are directly covered by this policy and are required to sign it annually.
• Partner organisations and their staff members with contractual arrangements with MenEngage Global Alliance: This policy will be applicable to them as agreed upon in contractual arrangements.
• International members of the MenEngage Alliance (over 700 member organizations): While not directly legally applicable, all members, partners, and networks are required to develop their own policies and procedures incorporating elements of this global policy.
• Women’s rights organizations and social justice leaders: The Alliance commits to collaborating with these groups in carrying out this effort.
• Individuals seeking to understand and address sexual harassment and violence: The policy provides definitions, preventative measures, and response protocols that can serve as a valuable reference.
• Organisations developing their own sexual harassment policies: This document can serve as an inspiration and provide a framework for instituting similar policies, capacities, and tools.

About the Authors

This Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures document was developed by the MenEngage Global Alliance. The leadership of MenEngage Global Alliance is fully committed to the development and implementation of this policy. The Alliance is committed to carrying out this effort in collaboration with its members, women’s rights organisations, and committees established for policy implementation.

Find out more

For further details on the MenEngage Alliance Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures, download the full document below.

If you wish to report a concern regarding the behavior of members to whom this policy applies, you can refer to this Complaint Handling Process guideline or send an email to email hidden; JavaScript is required