The call to action in support of our national campaign to end the misuse of NDAs in resolving workplace sexual harassment and discrimination complaints Our Silence is Not for Sale is growing in Australia.
Last week Working Women’s Centre Australia, alongside Working Women’s Centre NSW had the opportunity to speak to the Federal Government at Parliament House on why national legislative reform to address this systemic problem is urgently needed.
We were honoured to be joined by lived experience activist Leanne Kirkaldie who shared her powerful story and insight on the issue and the solution.
Working Women’s Centres across Australia are calling for national law reform that regulates NDAs in the following way:
It gives women agency in their workplace:
Victim/survivors must be given genuine and proper agency when resolving a workplace sexual harassment or discrimination dispute, with the support of an independent lawyer
It stops the silencing of women:
Victim-survivors should be able to disclose and speak about their workplace experiences to their family, friends, support persons, the police, medical and legal advisors, and their trade union. Employers must address issues and take preventative steps to stop sexual harassment and discrimination in the first place. To do this, we have to stop the silencing of women.
It is practical and holistic:
The legislation must provide a pathway for further advocacy to eliminate sexual harassment and discrimination in workplaces. This includes ensuring there is proper resourcing for education, reporting and compliance at an industry and workplace level.
We thank the Federal Government, specifically the Status of Women Caucus Committee, for the opportunity to discuss our key recommendations to regulate the use of NDAs in Australia.
For more information on the campaign and Working Women’s Centre Network’s key recommendations, please visit the campaign page on our website: https://lnkd.in/gr4eG-yT
