Poster and social media competitions promote workplaces free from harassment and violence in garment sector

Nurul Maidatul Janah, 30 years old, had always been curious about joining a competition after seeing her colleagues at PT Sumber Bintang Rejeki, Semarang, Central Java winning previous competitions organized by Better Work Indonesia (BWI)—a joint programme of ILO and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Thus, when she learnt about a poster and social media content design competition, announced early this year, she decided to step out of her comfort zone. Her co-worker, Fina Norfila, successfully encouraged her to team up, representing their factory in the competition. While Nurul focused on the contents, while Fina worked on the design.

The competition, titled “Visual Design Competition on Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work”, was organized by BWI in collaboration with Clevio, a digital organization, with support from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It aimed to promote efforts in creating and maintaining safe working environment that is free from all kinds of harassment and violence.

When I heard the announcement, I reflexively screamed in joy, surprising the whole office. A college even hurriedly came to my room asking what had happened."

Fina Norfila, PT Sumber Bintang Rejeki, Semarang, Central Java

To be eligible for the competition, contestants need to submit a design sketch alongside a video or paragraph on the importance of eliminating violence and harassment in the workplace. The selected participants were invited to join online workshops on harassment and violence prevention at work as well as a basic graphic design skills via design application Canva.

The winners of the competition were divided into two criteria: the poster design category selected by a panel of judges and the social media content design category selected through the highest number of legitimate engagements on social media. Both winners were awarded with cash prizes, Canva premium accounts and certificates.

Together, Nurul and Fina designed a poster with the headline: “STOP! Sexual Harassment at Work” in Bahasa Indonesia. The headline was followed by a chart detailing types of sexual harassments and, uniquely, featuring acronyms that were closely linked with the garment sector—“JARUM” (needle) and “JAHIT” (sewing). This unique feature reminds people about steps that should be taken to become an agent of change to stop sexual harassment at work.

Their unique poster was selected by the judges to be the first winner for the poster category. “When I heard the announcement, I reflexively screamed in joy, surprising the whole office. A college even hurriedly came to my room asking what had happened,” told Fina, giggling as she recounted the memorable moment when she virtually learnt about the winners of the competition through a webinar held on last April.

The favourite winner for social media content category is awarded to PT Leetex Garment Indonesia. Meanwhile the favourite winner for social media content category was awarded to Siti Handriyani Yunita and her partner Indah Dwi Madina from PT Leetex Garment Indonesia, Majalengka, West Java. To gain social media support, they held a “roadshow” asking their colleagues during briefings and lunch breaks to give likes and comments. They also did the same initiative to their families and relatives.

We feel excited and ecstatic when learning that we win. We are going to make an Instagram story to thank them for their support."

Siti Handriyani Yunita, PT Leetex Garment Indonesia, Majalengka, West Java

“We never imagine that we could win. We feel excited and ecstatic when learning that we win. We are going to make an Instagram story to thank them for their support. We simply can’t forget our supporters,” said Siti.

The competition was concluded with the appreciation given by the participants for the training design and contents development. Most of the participants said that they really learnt how to make an interesting and easy understand campaign materials.

The competition was part of the ILO’s global and national campaigns on the promotion of the ratification of the ILO’s Convention No. 190 (C190) on Harassment and Violence at Workplace. C190 is the first international treaty to recognize the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment.

The competition was also in line with BWI’s Respectful Workplace Programme (RWP), aimed to build a respectful work culture that is safe from all forms of harassments. BWI has organized a series of Training of Trainers where participants were trained to become a “Respect Team” representatives. These representatives are obliged to train employees, spread awareness and conduct campaigns within their companies on workplace violence and harassment.