Gender Injustice-Sexual Harassment

1. KABARAK UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
GROUP ASSIGNMENT 2
NAMES: JACKSON KIRUI CM-NBE-1330-09-15
MAUREEN CHEPKEMOI CM-NBE-1335-09-15
LONAH MUTONGA CM-NBE-1333-09-15
VIOLET CHEMOIGUT CM-NBE-1339-09-15
PAUL MUGAMBI CM-NBE-1331-09-15
NELLY WANGUI CM-NBE-1375-09-15
JACKSON KIMOSOP CM-NBE-0250-01-14
COURSE CODE: BIBL 222: CHRISTIAN ETHICS
STUDY PERIOD: SEPTEMBER- DECEMBER 2015
TASK: GENDER INJUSTICE – SEXUAL HARASSMENT

2. GENDER INJUSTICE
Gender injustice refers to unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals based on their gender. Gender
inequality means differences in the status, power and prestige women and men have in-groups,
collectivities and societies. One way to measure gender inequality is to look at the differences between
women and men in areas such as education, health, decision making and access to economic
opportunities. Gender inequality is often driven by existing gender stereotypes that determine how we
perceive the roles of women and men in society.
Unequal power relations between females and males lead to widespread violations of health and human
rights. Among the most persistent and pernicious examples of gender injustice are early or child
marriage, sexual trafficking, sexual violence, coercion, and female genital cutting. Institutionalized legal
inequality underpins laws that keep land, money and other economic resources out of girl
soundwomen’s hands, closing off avenues for redress of discrimination and creating the conditions
for gender-based violence and exploitation.
While culturally and historically-bound, gender commonly is a function of power relations and the social
organizations of inequality. Another point about gender is that class and ethnicity, gender inequality is
not one homogeneous phenomenon, but a collection of disparate and interlinked problems. Inequality
men and women can take many different forms.
Although it is about is all about differences between women and men, in the old and modern societies,
women have been ill-treated in every society for ages. She is being looked down as commodity or as a
slave, she is not robbed of her dignity and pride outside her house but she also faces ill-treatment and
other atrocities within the four walls of her house. They are considered as an object of male sexual
enjoyment and reproduction of children. They are discriminated at two levels, firstly they suffer because
of their gender and secondly due to grinding poverty.
Women are deprived of economic resources and in many occasions are dependent on men for their
living. Women works are often confined to domestic sphere, she had to do all house hold works, which
are not recognized and unpaid. In modern times many women are coming out to work but has to
shoulder the double responsibility; one she has to work where she is employed and secondly she also

3. has to do all the house hold works, moreover, she is last to be considered and first to be fired as she is
considered to be less productive than her counterpart. Her general status in the family and in the society
has been low and unrecognized.
What the bible says about gender injustice
The Bible states that in the very beginning of the human race God created man in His own image, in the
image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them,
“Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:27-28) In other words, the
Biblical record is clear: God created men and women equal. Dominion over everything was given to the
woman as well as to the man. The woman was not created inferior to the man; nor was the man greater
than the woman.
However, when sin entered the human race, one of the consequences was that men and women
became separated from God, and that basic broken relationship distorted the Divine order in many ways,
one of which was that men began to rule over women (Genesis 3:16).
Religion down through the ages has been hard on women in general. From ancient times when their
babies were sacrificed to the gods, to Greek times when they were used as prostitutes in the temples,
and to a lesser degree, in modern day practices where women are discriminated against or oppressed,
the implied message has seemed to be clear: Women are second-class citizens, objects of scorn or sex or
service. Generally speaking, they have not been highly valued in religious circles . . . nor in the cultures
those religions influence . . . until Jesus came.
God Himself elevated the status of women forever when He chose to send His own Son, Jesus Christ, to
be born of a virgin. The words and actions of Jesus underscored His elevated opinion of women, as did
the early church that was established in His name following His return to heaven:
Examples where God raised the status of women
• His first miracle was performed in response to a plea from His mother (John 2:1-11).
• His first revelation of Himself as Messiah was to a woman (John 4:25- 26).
• His greatest miracle was performed at the request of two women (John 11:1-44).
• His death was memorialized by a woman (John 12:1-8).
• Women were included in His expanded group of disciples (Mark 15:41).
• Women stayed with Him throughout His crucifixion, even after the men had left (Matthew 27:55-56).
• Women observed His burial (Matthew 27:61).
• Following His resurrection, He appeared first to a woman (John 20:1- 16).

4. • He commissioned women as the very first evangelists (Matthew 28:1- 10; John 20:17).
• Women were included in the group of disciples who met daily for prayer after the ascension of Jesus
(Acts 1:14).
• Ancient prophecy was fulfilled when the Spirit of God was given equally to men and women at
Pentecost (Acts 2:17).
• Women were among the very first “believers” or “Christians” who made up the early church (Acts
5:14; Acts 8:12; 17:4, 12).
• The first church in Europe was begun with a group of women and actually met in the home of a
woman (Acts 16:13-15).
• The early church was staffed by many women (Romans 16:12, Philippians 4:3).
• At least one early church was co-led by a woman (1 Corinthians 16:19).
In summary, women may not have fared well in the world’s religions, but they are greatly loved by God
who, in the beginning, created them equal to men. The discrimination that women bump into does not
come from the heart of God. He created them in His own image — with a capacity to know Him in a
personal relationship. And when sin destroyed that relationship, God redeemed them through the death
of His own Son. And one day, He will welcome into His heavenly home every woman who has claimed
Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and Lord. And the equality, respect, and status she has longed for will
be hers forever.
SOME OF THE IMPACTS ON THE SOCIETY INCLUDE:
1. Inequality in family:
Family is the basic unit of the society. Within this social unit there is a gender division of labor. Women
and men have different roles in the family. Often women’s roles are considered lesser. Women are
under-represented at all levels of decision making in government, local government (including
partnerships), state institutions, at community level, trade unions, health boards and across the private
sector. In the time of decision making, women are not allowed to deliver their speech.
Sometimes they are allowed to say something while in decision-making but male member of the family
already decide what. In most of the society women have no choice how many children she should have.
They have no choice on when they should give birth to a child. They have no say in family planning
and programmed. Women are bound to provide sexual service. Again sexual interaction is sometimes

5. one sided, decision should be taken. They just show up that they give chance to their women
counterparts.
2. Inequality in education:
Women in developing countries usually receive less education than men. The foremost factor limiting
female education is poverty. Economics plays a key role when it comes to coping with directs costs such
as tuition fees, cost of textbooks, uniforms, transportation and other expenses. Wherever, especially in
families with many children, these costs exceed the income of the family, girls are the first to be denied
schooling.
All this despite the fact that educating girls is one of the best investments a society can make. An
educated woman has the skills, the self-confidence and the information she needs to become a better
parent, worker and citizen.
3. Women’s inequality in health:
Women are disadvantaged than men in terms of access to health care and quality of nutrition and health
care received. The health situation of urban women is worse than that of women in the rural areas.
4. Women’s inequality in politics and administration:
Under a banner of equal rights and opportunities, experts say there is still a long way to go to turn the
world’s parliaments into shining examples of gender equality.
5. Women’s inequality in decision making:
From the very beginning of the family to the international boundary women’s decision making power has
under recognized. Women often have less recourse than men to legal recognition and protection, as well
as lower access to public knowledge and information, and less decision-making power both within and
outside the home. Women in many parts of the world frequently have little control over fertility,
sexuality and marital choices. This systematic discrimination reduces women’s public participation, often
increases their vulnerability to poverty, violence and HIV, and results in women representing a
disproportionate percentage of the poor population of the world.
6. Women’s inequality in proper inheritance:

6. Women are insignificantly deprived of their proper inheritance culturally and religiously as well. The
religious constitution doesn’t give women equal inheritance; there is a segregation of giving the property
to women as they will not be given the property as men can have.
This thus brings us to our main topic which is sexual harassment.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
What Is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or
inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. In most modern legal contexts sexual
harassment is illegal.
“Unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, or other conduct based on sex affecting the dignity of
women and men at work. This includes unwelcome physical, verbal or nonverbal conduct”
Harassment can include "sexual harassment" or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors,
and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Where laws surrounding sexual harassment
exist, they typically don’t prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or minor isolated incidents. In the
workplace, harassment may be considered illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile
or offensive work environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision (such as the victim
being fired or demoted, or when the victim decides to quit the job).The harasser can be the victim's
supervisor, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or someone who is not an employee of the
employer, such as a client or customer. It includes a range of behavior from mild transgressions to
sexual abuse or sexual assault. Sexual harassment is a form of illegal employment discrimination in many
countries, and is a form of abuse (sexual and psychological) and bullying. For many businesses and other
organizations, preventing sexual harassment, and defending employees from sexual harassment charges,
has become key goals of legal decision-making.
In the workplace, harassment may be considered illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a
hostile or offensive work environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision (such as the
victim being fired or demoted, or when the victim decides to quit the job).The harasser can be the
victim's supervisor, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or someone who is not an employee of the
employer, such as a client or customer.
It includes a range of behavior from mild transgressions to sexual abuse or sexual assault. Sexual
harassment is a form of illegal employment discrimination in many countries, and is a form of abuse
(sexual and psychological) and bullying.
HARASSMENT SITUATIONS

7. Sexual harassment may occur in a variety of circumstances. Often, but not always, the harasser is in a
position of power or authority over the victim (due to differences in age, or social, political, educational
or employment relationships) or expecting to receive such power or authority in form of promotion.
Many different kinds of conduct—verbal, visual or physical—that is of a sexual nature may be sexual
harassment, if the behavior is unwelcome and if it is severe or pervasive.
THE EXAMPLES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
• Verbal or written: Comments about clothing, personal behavior, or a person’s body; sexual or
sex-based jokes; requesting sexual favors or repeatedly asking a person out; sexual innuendoes;
telling rumors about a person’s personal or sexual life; threatening a person
• Physical: Assault; impeding or blocking movement; inappropriate touching of a person or a
person’s clothing; kissing, hugging, patting, stroking
• Nonverbal: Looking up and down a person’s body; derogatory gestures or facial expressions of a
sexual nature; following a person
• Visual: Posters, drawings, pictures, screensavers or emails of a sexual nature
• Non-sexual conduct may also be sexual harassment if you are harassed because you are female,
rather than male, or because you are male, rather than female. For example, it may be sexual
harassment if you are a woman working as a carpenter on an all male job, and you are the only
one whose tools are frequently hidden by your male co-workers.
Forms of harassment relationships include:
a. The harasser can be anyone, such as a client, a co-worker, a parent or legal guardian, relative, a
teacher or professor, a student, a friend, or a stranger.
b. The victim does not have to be the person directly harassed but can be a witness of such behavior
who finds the behavior offensive and is affected by it.
c. The place of harassment occurrence may vary from school, university, workplace and other
d. The harasser may be completely unaware that his or her behavior is offensive or constitutes
sexual harassment or may be completely unaware that his or her actions could be unlawful.
e. The harassment may be one time occurrence but more often it has a type of repetitiveness
f. Adverse effects on the target are common in the form of stress and social withdrawal, sleep and
eating difficulties, overall health impairment, etc.
g. The victim and harasser can be any gender
h. The harasser does not have to be of the opposite sex.

8. i. Misunderstanding: It can result from a situation where one thinks he/she is making themselves
clear, but is not understood the way they intended. The misunderstanding can either be
reasonable or unreasonable. An example of unreasonable is when a man holds a certain
stereotypical view of a woman such that he did not understand the woman’s explicit message to
stop.
EFFECTS OF SEXUAL HARRASMENT
Common psychological, academic, professional, financial, and social effects of sexual harassment and
retaliation:
a) Psychological stress and health impairment
b) Decreased work or school performance as a result of stress conditions; increased absenteeism in fear
of harassment repetition
c) Firing and refusal for a job opportunity can lead to loss of job or career, loss of income.
d) Having to drop courses, change academic plans, or leave school (loss of tuition) in fear of harassment
repetition and/or as a result of stress
e) Being objectified and humiliated by scrutiny and gossip
f) Having one's personal life offered up for public scrutiny—the victim becomes the "accused," and his
or her dress, lifestyle, and private life will often come under attack.
g) Defamation of character and reputation
h) Loss of trust in environments similar to where the harassment occurred
i) Effects on sexual life and relationships: can put extreme stress upon relationships with significant
others, sometimes resulting in divorce
j) Weakening of support network, or being ostracized from professional or academic circles (friends,
colleagues, or family may distance themselves from the victim, or shun him or her altogether)
k) Having to relocate to another city, another job, or another school
l) Loss of references/recommendations
m) Becoming publicly sexualized (i.e. groups of people "evaluate" the victim to establish if he or she is
"worth" the sexual attention or the risk to the harasser's career)
What the bible says about sexual harassment
1. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is
proper among saints. Ephesians 5:3
2. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let
there be thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:4
3. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her
and lay with her and humiliated her. Genesis 34:2

9. 4. Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual
relations with a woman.” 1 Corinthians 7:1
5. Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and
self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 1 Timothy 2:9
6. Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched
Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he
said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the
Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked
around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out
your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. . Mark 3:1-35
7. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one
crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John appeared,
baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by
him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ...Mark 1:1-45
The bible is against sexual harassment and gives us guidelines on how to avoid it.
1. Be businesslike. Be pleasant and respectful to workmates, yet avoid the sort of friendliness that
implies that you would accept their sexual interest.—Matthew 10:16; Colossians 4:6.
2. Dress modestly. Wearing provocative clothing sends the wrong message. The Bible recommends
dressing “with modesty and soundness of mind.”—1 Timothy 2:9.
3. Choose your friends wisely. If you spend time with those who tolerate or even welcome flirting or
sexual advances, you are more likely to receive the same treatment.—Proverbs 13:20.
4. Reject offensive talk. Excuse yourself if a conversation turns to “dirty stories, foolish talk, or
obscene jokes.”—Ephesians 5:4, God’s Word Bible.
5. Avoid compromising situations. For example, beware of invitations to stay at work after hours
without a valid reason.—Proverbs 22:3.
6. Be firm and direct. If you are sexually harassed, clearly tell your harasser that his or her behavior
is unwelcome. (1 Corinthians 14:9) For instance, you could say: “You keep brushing against me,
and it makes me very uncomfortable. I want you to stop.” You could write a letter to your harasser
describing what happened, how it made you feel, and what you want to happen next. Make clear
that your stance is based on your moral and religious convictions.—1 Thessalonians 4:3-5.
7. Get help. If the harassment continues, confide in a trusted friend, family member, or coworker or
in someone experienced in helping victims. (Proverbs 27:9) Many victims of sexual harassment

10. have found support through prayer. Even if you haven’t prayed before, don’t underestimate the
help you can receive from Jehovah, “the God of all comfort.”—2 Corinthians 1:3.
PREVENTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
The most effective weapon against sexual harassment is prevention. Harassment does not disappear on
its own. In fact, it is more likely that when the problem is not addressed, the harassment will worsen
and become more difficult to remedy as time goes on.
The following two methods can be applied;
1. In the workplace
Sexual harassment policies
• Employees should be aware of the company's anti-sexual harassment stance. They should also be
given examples of sexual harassment so they understand the nature of the policy.
• Explain that such actions will not be tolerated, nor will retaliation against a person who has
complained about such harassment.
Organize lessons
• Hold annual seminars to review sexual harassment policies. Explain what constitutes such
harassment and what will be done if sexual harassment is alleged.
• Make these meetings mandatory so everyone in the company is able to understand sexual
harassment policies and consequences.
• Training supervisors is especially important. In many instances, these individuals will be the first
line of sexual harassment protection. They should be skilled in how to handle cases of alleged
harassment.
Keep an eye on the workplace
• Ask employees if they have any concerns.
• Take appropriate action if sexual harassment is suspected or experienced.
Create an anti-sexual harassment environment
• Handle allegations of sexual harassment with tact and respect. The investigation should always
be handled professionally and no complaints should be brushed off.
• Employers can actually be prosecuted for failing to investigate harassment and taking appropriate
action. Make sure that employees can feel safe and comfortable when they are working.

11. 2. In private lives
Act confidently
• Weak individuals are often targeted as victims. By acting and speaking in strong ways, individuals
take themselves out of many situations where harassment may occur. 1 Corinthians 14:9.” In the
same way, unless you with the tongue use speech that is easily understood, how will anyone
know what is being said? You will, in fact, be speaking into the air”
• Let others know sexual harassment will not be tolerated. If a person makes a lewd comment, ask
them not to. Keep your position on the matter clear.
Dress and act modestly
• It is important to understand that some people put themselves, unknowingly, in questionable
situations. They may be interpreted as welcoming such advances by dressing or acting
inappropriately. The Bible recommends dressing “with modesty and soundness of mind.”—
1 Timothy 2:9. It is never the victim's fault if sexual harassment occurs, but it is important to
distance yourself as much as possible from situations where such actions can take place. 1
Peter 1:15, 16 Says.”15
but like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all your
conduct, 16
for it is written: “You must be holy, because I am holy.”
Keep appropriate company
• Do not maintain relationships with individuals around whom you are uncomfortable. Distance
yourself from individuals who seem to be preoccupied with thoughts, words and actions of a
sexual nature. Proverbs 13:20.Say...” The one walking with the wise will become wise, But the one
who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly”
• Find friends that can be trusted and appreciated. Have things in common, such as senses of
humor and jobs.
General ways of how to Confront and Stop Sexual Harassment and Harassers
• Do the unexpected: Name the behavior. Whatever he's just done, say it, and be specific.

12. • Hold the harasser accountable for his actions. Don't make excuses for him; don't pretend it didn't
really happen. Take charge of the encounter and let people know what he did. Privacy protects
harassers, but visibility undermines them.
• Make honest, direct statements. Speak the truth (no threats, no insults, no obscenities, no
appeasing verbal fluff and padding). Be serious, straightforward, and blunt.
• Demand that the harassment stop.
• Make it clear that all women have the right to be free from sexual harassment. Objecting to
harassment is a matter of principle.
• Stick to your own agenda. Don't respond to the harasser's excuses or diversionary tactics.
• His behavior is the issue. Say what you have to say, and repeat it if he persists.
• Reinforce your statements with strong, self-respecting body language: eye contact, head up,
shoulders back, a strong, serious stance. Don't smile. Timid, submissive body language will
undermine your message.
• Respond at the appropriate level. Use a combined verbal and physical response to physical
harassment.

13. CONCLUSION
Despite the fact that harassment related to sex and sexual harassment – not necessarily as separate
phenomena – has now for long caught the legislator’s attention, such conduct is far from infrequent in
society. It is, however, not easy to obtain a more exact picture of its frequency. This is partly due
precisely to the sexual nature of such conduct and the relative sensitiveness that still accompanies these
issues in society. It may also be seen as a consequence of a dominating Dignity Harm Approach and
reluctance to acknowledge sexual harassment as sex discrimination in society at large.
On the other hand, it can still be argued that sexual harassment for some reason is still not regulated in
contexts other than sex discrimination but that this may well be the case in the future. What we can rely
on is that any harassing ‘conduct of a sexual nature’ will not be tolerated in relation to ethnicity,
disability, etc. It will either be regarded as an integrated part of the broader concept of harassment on
the grounds of ethnicity, disability, etc. or it will be dealt with as multiple or complex discrimination.
With gender justice lays the belief that nobody should be disadvantaged because of their sex/gender. It
is hard to dispute that women and men are equally entitled to just treatment and that, when someone
suffers injustice because of their sex, they are a victim of gender injustice. But the exact definition of
gender injustice and therefore the scope of gender injustice are contentious matters.
Some forms of gender injustice are easy to identify. In many countries some kinds of violence against
women are particularly high, often women receive lower pay than men for the same work and in some
countries women still do not have legal rights equal to those that men hold. It is not difficult to see the
problem in these cases.
Widely endorsed conceptions of liberal egalitarian justice uphold people’s moral rights to dignified
treatment and physical integrity, to equal compensation for equal work and to equality in front of the
law.

14. If those directly responsible for the above injustices are partly motivated by hatred or prejudice against
women, the victims of violence and discrimination do not just happen to be women – rather, they
become victims of injustice because they are women.
Hence, these examples are clear illustrations of gender injustice. Other cases are a bit more difficult to
describe as gender injustice or, indeed, as injustice full stop. Take, for example, women’s “second shift.”
Significant numbers of women worldwide simultaneously hold full-time jobs and do most of the work
that goes into maintaining households, raising children and caring for disabled or elderly family
members. They are clearly shouldering more than their male partners.
Even worse, in case of divorce, women who used to be full-time homemakers and caregivers often find
it hard to enter, or reenter, the labor market, and are much more likely than their former partners to fall
into poverty – especially when they have children.20 But these women seem to owe their situation to
voluntary choices: neither laws, nor physical coercion, nor, strictly speaking, a lack of alternatives, forces
them to take on double shifts.
Gender justice requires that nobody should be expected to carry higher overall burdens, or enjoy overall
lesser benefits than others, without due compensation, simply because of their gender. But think now of
cases in which women and men shoulder the same overall burdens and enjoy the same overall level of
benefit by conforming to gendered lifestyles.
The answer for which I argue below is that no injustice is involved in such an arrangement if the society
in which this couple lives does not make their arrangement – or, indeed, any other kind of gendered
division of labor – the least costly lifestyle option. In other words, this is not a case of injustice provided
the couple in question would find it no more costly to share paid and unpaid work equally. This claim, I
believe, accounts well for the intuition that all is fine if people voluntarily choose to divide work as the
couple above, but not if they end up with this arrangement due to the pressure of gender norms coming
in the form of individuals’ expectations or constraints of the labor market.
The Bible has denied us to treat others unequally as we are all part of God’s creation thus we cannot
treat others as we want. Rather we are supposed to treat them as we would like to be treated.

15. REFERENCE:
http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/sexual-harassment/
Hunters Moon, a novel by Karen Robards, deals with a female's experience of sexual harassment in the workplace

16. Larimer, M., Lydum, A., Anderson, B., and Turner, A. (1999). Male and female recipients of unwanted sexual
contact in a college student sample: Prevalence rates, alcohol use, and depression symptoms. Sex Roles 40: 295-
308.
Lecture Series-I: Gender Inequality and Sexual Harassment; Dr. Anamika Girdhar
Malamuth, N. (1984). Aggression against women: Cultural and individual causes. In Malamuth, N. and
Donnerstein, E. (eds.), Pornography and Sexual Aggression, Academic Press, Orlando, FL, 19-52.
Sexual harassment and Gender Justice; Dr. Desh Raj Sirswal
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace", an instrumental minor-key blues song by Frank Zappa, from the album
Guitar