Paris: An investigation released on Thursday found that 50 percent of all female scientists worldwide have experienced workplace sexual harassment at some point in their careers.
49 percent of the female scientists who took part in the survey, which was conducted among more than 5,000 researchers in 117 countries, said that they had "personally experienced at least one situation" of harassment.
The survey, which was carried out by the polling company Ipsos on behalf of the L'Oreal Foundation, found that nearly half of the cases occurred after the MeToo movement was founded in 2017. It had a detrimental effect on their careers for 65% of the women.
Also Read: A resolution from the UN Security Council aims to break the Afghanistan "stalemate"
Among the victims, only one in five informed their institution about the harassment. The survey's respondents included those who had careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. More than 50 public and private organisations around the world employed them.
One-fourth of those polled admitted to encountering someone who "inappropriately and repeatedly referred to me as a girl... doll, babe or chick" or insulted them in some other way.
Twenty-four percent said they had been asked "intrusive and repeated questions about my private or sex life that make me feel uncomfortable," the survey said.
Also Read: UN supports Turkiye and Ukraine in call for rollover of 120-day grain agreement
Most of the harassment occurred when the victims' careers were just getting started. One in five employees said they felt unsafe at work, and about half said they avoided certain employees at their organisations. The majority of respondents—nearly 65%—felt that not enough was being done to combat workplace sexism and sexual harassment.
Since the MeToo movement, science has not undergone a sufficient revolution, according to this survey, said Alexandra Palt of the L'Oreal Foundation, who spoke to AFP.
The foundation, which collaborates with UNESCO to support female scientists, urged educational and research institutions to adopt anti-harassment policies and commit financial resources to addressing the issue.
A reliable and open internal reporting system is required, according to Palt. According to the foundation, only 4% of science Nobel Prize winners have been women, and only 33% of scientists worldwide hold doctorates.
Also Read: US will sell up to 220 Tomahawk missiles to Australia as the Pacific arms race intensifies
Women in research must feel safe if their potential is to be fully realised, according to Palt. From July 26 to September 12 of last year, Ipsos used the consultation method to conduct the survey.