What Actions Have People Taken to Support Gender Equality and Reduce Sexual Harassment?

An Ipsos global survey reveals several actions taken by people worldwide to support gender equality, including reducing sexual harassment in their communities.

The results show that 56% of respondents reported taking at least one step to support gender equality in the past year. However, 37% admitted to not taking any of the actions listed in the Ipsos survey.

Of those who took action, the most common was talking about gender equality with family or friends, chosen by 32% of respondents.

Other actions included 21% of respondents who reprimanded friends or family members for making sexist comments. Sexism is defined as an action that degrades the other gender.

A further 21% spoke about gender equality in the workplace. Ipsos also reported that more than one in ten people (12%) had confronted someone who sexually harassed women.

(See also: Majority of Female Journalists Experienced Sexual Violence and Harassment in 2022: Here Are 10 Types)

Other actions included signing petitions for gender equality (12%), speaking to senior managers about gender discrimination in the workplace (12%).

Additionally, some respondents participated in gender equality demonstrations (8%), and 7% openly identified as feminists.

The survey involved 22,508 adults aged 16-74 in 32 countries. These countries included the United States, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.

Data was collected from December 22, 2022, to January 6, 2023. The research was published to coincide with International Women's Day on March 8, 2023.

The following are the proportions of actions taken by people worldwide to support gender equality:

* Talking about gender equality with family or friends: 32% of total respondents
* Reprimanding sexist comments: 21%
* Talking about gender equality at work: 21%
* Signing petitions: 12%
* Speaking to senior managers about gender discrimination in the workplace: 12%
* Confronting perpetrators of sexual harassment against women: 12%
* Participating in gender equality demonstrations: 8%
* Identifying as a feminist: 7%
* None of the above: 37%
* Total responding: 56%

(See also: Indonesia's Progress on Gender Equality Laws According to the World Bank)