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Sexism: let’s face the facts

“We don’t feel safe and relaxed when we’re at work. There are wolf whistles when we walk by, disparaging comments on our looks, stares that follow us from one end of the cafeteria to the other, lewd remarks from the next table when we sit down. Our ideas don’t get enough credit and we’re often interrupted when we speak. Not to mention the propositions, some more subtle than others, even including promises in exchange for ‘favours’. And when we refuse, clearly and unambiguously, we might as well be speaking a different language.”

During my four-year term of office, the daily experiences of some people – mainly women – have regularly been brought to my attention.

Why does gender-based discrimination persist within organisations of all types and sizes? And what’s the situation at CERN?

“Of course sexism exists ... but not here!” To answer the above questions, we first need to stop seeing the situation through the prism of our beliefs and admit that sexism may indeed exist here. Because only once we’ve admitted the possibility can we begin to address the problem.

“I really didn’t mean to offend you.” This particular belief comes up a lot: that it’s only sexism if there’s intent behind it. Once you put this idea aside, cases of sexism prove to be much more common that we might think.

“We are aware of the incidents, which have been reported to us, but these are isolated cases. There is no systemic problem.” Due to obstacles that are often difficult to overcome, many victims of sexism decide not to report what they’ve experienced. It’s therefore very tempting to take only the small number of reported cases into account, and to consider them as isolated, unconnected incidents.

Sexism can emerge within a group or society only if the environment lends itself to it. Most members of a community are simply swept along by the tide, not thinking for themselves, just going with the flow. Others swim resolutely with the tide. And then there are those who swim against the tide, with strength, courage and determination. Our individual behaviours collectively determine the dynamic of a group. Understanding this dynamic is just as important as explaining the reasons behind individual actions.

To address this sensitive topic, we must step outside our comfort zone. Are we really prepared to do so? Organisations that decide to combat sexism accept that they must take this step. Their Management has answered the essential question: “What priority do we want to give to the fight against sexism?” It’s only by asking ourselves the right questions that we can find the right answers.

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If you’ve experienced or witnessed sexism or sexual harassment, you should speak up. Several support services are available to you. Use them!

Pierre Gildemyn

If you’d like to comment on any of my articles or suggest a topic that I could write about, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at Ombuds@cern.ch.