IGSS and UNOPS promote hospital infrastructure works free of sexual and occupational harassment

More than 100 workers on site at social security hospital infrastructure works are part of a pilot awareness plan to prevent sexual and occupational harassment at IGSS hospital construction projects.

Guatemala, May 14, 2021. The first awareness talk against harassment and sexual violence under the slogan Harassment-free works, was held this May 14, for more than 100 workers, part of the staff at the Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGSS) hospital infrastructure works site, implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) within the framework of the INFRAIGSS Program.

INFRAIGSS is the Infrastructure, Hospital Equipment and Technology Modernization new program established by the Social Security, with the support of UNOPS to strengthen the capacities of the Social Security for the implementation of the Phase 2 of the Master Plan for the Modernization and Expansion of the IGSS Hospital Network and Services.

In total, there will be four awareness talks to workers, framed within the activities of Occupational Health and Safety, that seek to guarantee that the works of the INFRAIGSS Program are spaces free of violence and harassment against women, respecting human rights and guaranteeing the safe use of public space, as well as the physical and psychological integrity of the work.

IGSS manager, Dr. Ana Marilyn Ortiz, participated in the activity, and IGSS Human Resources Deputy Manager Licenciada Cinthya Viviana Figueroa Benavente. “I applaud and share this initiative, and we, the world’s women, girls, and adolescents, deserve spaces harassment-free and violence-free spaces. Those present can be agents of change. INFRAIGSS has that challenge and I know that we will achieve it, we will meet it 100%. We do not tolerate harassment, we do not tolerate gender-based violence,” Dr. Ortiz said in words addressed to the workers.

The talks are taking place in works in zone 11 of the capital city and in Escuintla and are given by UNOPS gender specialist Paula Gento.

INFRAIGSS includes the design of the Hospital Complex of Zone 11 and the Hospital Arrivillaga in Zone 5 of the capital city; the design and construction of the Hospital Regional de Oriente in Zacapa (with 203 beds) and the High Complexity Hospital in Zone 11 of the capital (with 300 beds); equipping these hospitals with state-of-the-art medical supplies and adequate furniture; acquiring ambulances; and modernizing the

technology infrastructure, to expand and improve IGSS coverage and care for its rights-holders.

These actions fall within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 3, Health, and Welfare; SDG 5, Gender Equality; and SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities.