On November 7, 2023, ActionDignity held a Community Conversation Circle (CCC) that brought together 47 community leaders from diverse racialized communities and service providers such as Foodbank, CIWA, WRC, and the University of Calgary to shed light on the pervasive issue of workplace harassment, particularly focusing on the experiences of racialized individuals.
The event served as a platform for participants to discuss and address the hidden challenges faced by workers. ActionDignity’s Workers’ Rights program coordinator, Paban Adhikary, provided a comprehensive overview of ActionDignity and its initiatives, with Community Conversation Circle being a vital component of ActionDignity’s Theory of Change (grassroots capacity building). Rofia Sarumi, ActionDignity’s Gender Equity program coordinator, emphasized the importance of education on sexual harassment. The overarching goal is to create a safe space where racialized individuals can share their lived experiences, foster connections between ethnocultural groups and organizations, and generate knowledge to inform future actions.
A highlight of the session was Quinn Blyth, a specialist in sexual harassment law from the Workers Resource Center. Quinn delved into the intricacies of sexual harassment in the workplace and its profound impact on the well-being of racialized workers. She also provided crucial insights on reporting such incidents, empowering participants with the knowledge to take appropriate action.
The session concluded with a powerful display of solidarity as participants willingly provided their names, symbolizing a commitment to work collaboratively in the future. The Community Conversation Circle’s initiative not only uncovers hidden workplace harassment but also sets the stage for a collective effort towards positive change in working environments.