CNN
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Australian girls engaged on analysis bases in Antarctica have been stricken by a widespread tradition of sexual harassment, a just lately launched report discovered.
The report, commissioned by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), notes that the ladies reported unwelcome requests for intercourse, inappropriate sexual feedback and shows of offensive or pornographic materials.
“Given the underrepresentation of women in the AAP (Australian Antarctica Program) (especially during winter) some women also described the culture as ‘predatory’ and objectifying,” the report mentioned, whereas different individuals described a homophobic tradition on stations.
The report, carried out by affiliate professor Meredith Nash from the University of Tasmania, additionally revealed feminine expeditioners really feel they “must go to great lengths to make their menstruation invisible” and undergo “additional psychological and physical labor to manage” menstruation, together with altering their menstrual merchandise with out privateness or sufficient sanitation.
Australia’s Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek mentioned in an interview with Australian public broadcaster ABC she was “gobsmacked” to learn the report.
“Let me be absolutely clear: there is no place for sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior in any workplace,” Plibersek mentioned in a press release Thursday, calling the therapy described within the report as “unacceptable.”
The report made suggestions on easy methods to change the tradition on the stations, together with the creation of an “equity and inclusion task force.”
Plibersek mentioned Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is working via the suggestions.
Australia shouldn’t be alone in combating these points.
The report on the Australian analysis bases in Antarctica comes a month after the US National Science Foundation (NSF) launched an evaluation of the US Antarctic Program which discovered that “sexual harassment, stalking, and sexual assault are ongoing, continuing problems in the USAP community.”