Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy
Safe and Respectful Workplaces for Everyone
Effective: 1st January 2027
Make in Africa is a movement of people who work together across borders, cultures and organisations. Everyone who works, volunteers or takes part with us has the right to be safe, respected and free from harassment.
This policy applies to staff, volunteers, committee and council members, speakers, partners and guests, at our offices, at the Summit, online and at any event we run. In particular:
- Harassment of any kind is not tolerated, including sexual harassment, bullying, intimidation and discrimination.
- Women’s safety and dignity are a priority, and this policy gives special attention to the harassment of women in the workplace.
If you experience or witness behaviour that makes you feel unsafe, please speak up. You will be listened to and taken seriously.
Harassment is unwelcome behaviour that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile or degrading environment. It can be physical, verbal, written or online, and it does not need to be repeated to be serious.
Examples include:
- Unwelcome advances: sexual comments, requests for favours, touching, or persistent contact after someone has said no.
- Demeaning behaviour: jokes, remarks or messages about a person’s sex, race, religion, age, disability or background.
- Abuse of position: threats, pressure or punishment linked to a person’s response, or to a decision about work, membership or opportunities.
Intent does not decide the matter. What counts is the effect on the person and whether a reasonable person would find the behaviour unacceptable.
Our Commitments
Raising a Concern
If you experience or witness harassment connected with Make in Africa, you can do the following:
- Write to us through the contact form, marked Confidential, and describe what happened in your own words.
- Keep any messages, notes or dates that may help us understand the situation.
You also have the right to go to the police, a labour authority or a qualified lawyer in the country where you work:
- In an emergency or if you are in danger, contact the local emergency services first.
Make in Africa will act where its own people or events are involved, which can include removal from roles, committees, membership or the Summit, and referral to the authorities. This policy supports, and does not replace, the labour and equality laws that apply where you work.
