Addressing Sexual Harassment within Universities

By project WeSTEMEU

Published on 27 September 2024

Romania

About this good practice

FILIA, a leading Romanian NGO focused on gender equality, advocates for a world where everyone has equal rights and access to resources. The organization creates safe, inclusive spaces, amplifying marginalized voices and involving individuals in decisions that affect their lives. A key area of FILIA's focus is combating sexual harassment in universities. With over 20 years of experience, FILIA promotes awareness, inclusivity, and policy reforms to foster a culture of respect and safety in educational institutions.One major contributions is the development of Romania's first guide aimed at preventing and combating gender discrimination and sexual harassment in universities. This guide includes best practices from international academic institutions and outlines clear steps for reporting, sanctioning, and preventing harassment. It provides definitions, reporting processes, sanctions tailored to the severity of offenses, and prevention measures within the legislative framework. The guide is essential for promoting safer, more equitable academic environments. Specifically, in terms of STEM-supporting measures, this initiative contributes to advancing gender equality in STEM by equipping universities with actionable resources to combat harassment and discrimination. By promoting a culture of respect and safety, the initiative helps ensure that women feel empowered and supported in pursuing and succeeding in STEM careers.

Expert opinion

FILIA’s initiative to combat sexual harassment in Romanian universities addresses systemic gender discrimination by providing actionable tools, including Romania's first comprehensive guide on prevention, reporting mechanisms and sanctions aligned with international best practices. This forward-thinking approach fosters safer, more inclusive academic environments, particularly advancing gender equality in STEM by empowering women to pursue and thrive in their careers. The learning and transferability value of FILIA's work is notable for policymakers and institutions across Europe. Its focus on public policy analysis, data-driven advocacy and community organising equips stakeholders with versatile skills applicable in addressing gender-based issues beyond academic settings, making it a valuable blueprint for systemic change in other regions and sectors.

Mart Veliste

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

Specialized experts in the field of gender equality, volunteers, and funding were the most needed resources in order to achieve our goal and to put this action into practice.

Evidence of success

From March 2022 to October 2023:
- 875 students from 12 high schools were engaged in 24 dynamic events focused on sexual harassment and gender discrimination;
- 106 students were empowered to become allies through information sessions, interactive map, and Facebook group;
- 184 organizations signed open letter urging Ministry of Education to prioritize student safety;
- a petition with over 3000 signatures to Ministry of Education for systemic change.

Potential for learning or transfer

Involvement with FILIA offers valuable learning and skill transfer opportunities, particularly in addressing sexual harassment within universities. Advocacy activities enhance understanding of public policy analysis and legislative frameworks, skills applicable in law and public administration, crucial for creating effective anti-harassment policies.
Engaging in community work develops civic engagement and grassroots organizing abilities, which are vital for fostering safe campus environments. Additionally, research participation improves skills in data collection, analysis, and report writing, supporting evidence-based practices in addressing harassment. Overall, FILIA equips volunteers with a diverse skill set applicable to various sectors, enhancing their effectiveness in tackling sexual harassment in academic settings.