Sexual Harassment of Women at Medical Sector Work Place in Saudi Society

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank my supervisors, friends and family, without their support this research study would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I adjudge that the entire content of this dissertation is entirely my own work; the content used in this dissertation has not been submitted before in any educational institution and represents my own opinion.

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ABSTRACT

In this research study, the researcher tries to explore the sexual harassment problems in the hospitals of Saudi Arabia. For finding out the issues and problems of the sexually harass people in the hospitals of Saudi Arabia the mixed methodology was used. Questionnaire was filled by the sexually harass staff of the hospitals via email. After analysis and discussion it is proved that the females are sexually harass in the hospitals of Saudi Arabia and in order to prevent this issue different measures must be taken by the hospitals management.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEWX

Ambivalent Sexism Theoryx

Gender in Saudi Arabiaxi

Women in work in Saudi Arabia and comparable societies (Muslim society)xii

Sexual Harassment in comparable societiesxiv

Sexual Harassment in Western societiesxv

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGYXVI

Design and Methodologyxvi

Secondary Research Methodsxvi

Primary Research Methodsxvii

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methodxvii

Selection of Participantsxviii

Instrumentxviii

Data preparation and statistical proceduresxviii

Reliability and validityxix

Validityxix

Literature Searchxix

Keywords Usedxx

CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONXXI

Sexual harassment in Saudi Hospitalsxxi

Measures for protecting workplace harassment in Saudixxiii

Analysis of questionnaire responsesxxiii

Summaryxxvi

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONXXVII

Recommendationsxxviii

REFERENCESXXX

APPENDIXXXXII

Questionnairexxxii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Research

Sexual harassment was first considered as a workplace environment issue in the 1960's and expanded to other social institutions such as academia and sport. In the Saudi Arabia, sexual harassment is interpreted as unwanted sexual advances, demand for sexual favours and any other behaviors of a sexual nature (Wekesser 2002, 99). Multiple studies confirm that women are more likely than men to experience and perceive sexual harassment. Studies support that women are more vulnerable and tolerant than men for sexual harassment incidents if: 1) the institution (or organization) lacks preventive guidelines and avoids considering victims' complaints seriously, 2) women are part of non-traditional atmospheres, and 3) the organization maintains an unequal gender ratio.

Sexual harassment is an extremely complicated phenomenon rooted in fundamental attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Its complexity is evident when examining the various definitions used to describe, the theories and models used to explain, and the methods/measures used to investigate the overall concept. Although there is some common ground, definitions of sexual harassment differ somewhat throughout the literature, as well as in policies and procedures designed to address it. Since the first step in studying and eliminating sexual harassment is to clarify its meaning, the following literature review begins with a description of the general behavioral and legal definitions of sexual harassment, and how they have evolved over time (Wall 2002, 75).Sexual harassment is a social phenomenon in many different dimensions, reported by various organizations and institutions, including health area and confirmed by various studies that have shown the existence, extent and severity of this phenomenon in the ...