Domestic workers’ agency against workplace sexual harassment: The role of social norms in Bangladesh

Motivation: There are 1.3 million domestic workers in Bangladesh; the precarious and private nature of domestic work makes them vul- nerable to sexual harassment. Prevalent social norms that regulate sexuality and notions of family honour lead to victim blaming and normalization of male aggression. We contribute to the literature on social norms and women’s agency by exploring how they tackle sexual harassment. Purpose: We explore the connection between social norms and gen- dered agency in tackling workplace sexual harassment. We ask: how do young female domestic workers in Dhaka protect themselves from workplace sexual harassment? What insights do these strategies offer to strengthen women’s voice and agency against sexual harassment? Methods and approach: Using a case-study approach based on in- terviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and participatory exercises with domestic workers, we explore when, how, and where domestic workers raise their voice against incidents of harassment. Findings: Our findings show that, while most of the workers inter- viewed expect to face some form of sexual harassment at work, very few lodge formal complaints. They use a range of informal strategies or small manoeuvres to minimize risks. The decision by domestic workers to voice their concerns with family members, community actors, and employers is influenced by their alternative employment options, the damage to their and their family’s reputation, and the support they may expect to receive from these actors. The class position and gen- der of the domestic worker influence these interactions. Policy implications: Based on our findings, we argue that prevalent social norms on sexuality, the precarious nature of domestic work, and the private nature of the home as a workplace, constrain domestic workers’ agency, and their protection strategies remain largely indi- vidualized. Strengthening agency requires going beyond legal reform and involves creating an alternative public discourse on women’s sexuality, developing links between domestic workers with local com- munity organizations and networks, and changing the perceptions of actors responsible for providing protection.