Exploring the Gender-Based Violence Against Working Women: Katunayeke Free Trade Zone

Abstract

Women working in Free Trade Zones continue to face violence and harassment in and outside the workplace without adequate recourse and redressal mechanisms. Sri Lanka‘s total labor force participation is 49.8%. but females' contribution to the labor force is only 32.1%. The Free Trade Zone’s women employees face violence and harassment in the world of work, thus applying to violence and harassment in the course of work, that is linked with or arises out of work. Accordingly, the research problem of this study is, What are the gender-based violence faced by working women? The general objective of this study is to identify the diversity of violence against women in the workplace. To study the research problem, women employees in the Katunayake FTZ were considered the target population; 50 women employees were selected out of the 200 population. The sample was selected by using purposive sampling. This study is based on mixed research methods. The finding reveals that 60% of women were reported as Manpower workers. Katunayake factories consist of women workers, especially in the age group of 18-28 years. They do not have permanent residency in Katunayake. Relatively high rates of secondary education among them notwithstanding, these women have been committed to low-paid and insecure jobs without specialization. 38% of working women are victims of psychological abuse. 52% of employees have expressed dissatisfaction regarding health, safety, and hygiene. To reduce this situation, it is essential to formalize the protection of women under labor laws and enhance their welfare and safety at the institutional level.