17 October, 2025

At least 40% of women experience workplace sexual harassment (WSH), with underreporting as high as 79%. This has high costs for business, and recent research states that women who self-report harassment are more likely to leave their jobs (often without access to unemployment benefits) and move to workplaces with lower wage premiums or female-dominated industries. They also face longer unemployment periods than their peers, all of which reinforces gender inequality and wage gaps across the labour market and societies. 

The good news is that this is changing, and innovation is being put at the service of this change. One example is ELSA, a platform that uses data and technology to prevent workplace harassment in Latin America, acting before harm occurs and before barriers like fear of retaliation and lack of trust in investigations can keep cases unreported. 

ELSA’s methodology shows that companies can reduce harassment incidents by over 60%. The platform begins by measuring and diagnosing the problem through anonymous feedback. Using machine learning and data analytics, ELSA generates tailored action plans for each organisation, ensuring resources are focused where they will make the most difference, plus training programmes and tools to monitor, progress and benchmark across markets. 

The costs for businesses can be mitigated and the benefits amplified. Managing the risks of gender-based violence and harassment is embedded in international standards such as the IFC Performance Standards (IFC PS2 and PS4), as well as in good practices for due diligence and portfolio management. Research shows that effective strategies to prevent and address harassment positively influence indicators such as equal opportunities, gender diversity, and non-discrimination policies. 

Data platforms like ELSA enhance businesses’ abilities to identify patterns and act early on social issues in a low cost and high impact way. It’s a great example of technology harnessed for social change.  

By Sarah Forero