‘Go-To Person’ appointed across the civil service to prevent sexual harassment

In a significant step towards ensuring every workplace within the civil service is safe and free from sexual harassment, Bhutan’s Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) has expanded the ‘Go-To Person’ initiative across all government agencies.

August 12, 2025

A woman in traditional attire gestures while speaking to an audience in a brightly lit room. — Kuenzang Choden, Senior HR Officer with the RCSC facilitating a session on understanding sexual harrasment

UNDP/Dechen Wangmo

Human Resource (HR) officers across the civil service now have an additional role: that of a ‘Go-To Person’. In this role, they will serve as the primary point of contact for employees who experience or witness sexual harassment. In some offices, the role is being taken up by planning and legal officers.

Kelzang Phuntsho Loday is a Legal Officer with Samtse District Administration, who will now champion a sexual harassment-free workplace in his role as the ‘Go-To Person’ for the district administration. “Any form of sexual harassment can affect team dignity and morale, and reduce productivity. Addressing sexual harassment at the workplace promptly is important for ensuring everyone feels safe, respected and treated fairly.”

A group of four people engaged in discussion at a conference table in a wooden-paneled room. — Kelzang Phuntsho Loday is 'Go-To Person' for the Samtse District Administration

UNDP/Dechen Wangmo

First initiated within the RCSC in 2018, the initiative aims to create a supportive reporting system and foster zero tolerance for sexual harassment. The nationwide rollout of the ‘Go-To Person’ initiative is supported by the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC), UNDP, and UNFPA.

A woman in traditional attire presents to an audience in a wooden room. — Jigme Choden from UNPFA introduced gender concepts and social and gender norms that perpetuate gender-based violence.

UNDP/Dechen Wangmo

A speaker gestures while presenting to an engaged audience in a decorated hall. — Tshewang Lhamo, Gender Analyst, UNDP presented transformative approaches to handling gender-based violence

UNDP/Dechen Wangmo

To prepare for their role as the ‘Go-To Person’ in their respective agencies, 43 HR, legal, and planning officers from 18 districts underwent a one-day training on preventing and responding to sexual harassment in the workplace, held in Bumthang on 11 August.

A woman in an orange garment stands at a table, speaking to a group in a wooden room. — UNDP/Dechen Wangmo

A large group of people dressed in colorful traditional attire pose together outdoors. — 43 Go-To Persons, most of them HR officers, from 18 districts attended the training on preventing and responding to sexual harrasment in the workplace.

UNDP/Dechen Wangmo

The sessions covered gender concepts and strategies to address harmful social and gender norms that perpetuate gender-based violence. They were also trained on the new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for preventing and responding to sexual harassment in the civil service, developed as part of the effort to scale the ‘Go-To Person’ initiative.

The SOP outlines clear protocols for reporting, investigation, and resolution while ensuring confidentiality and victim support. It also defines responsibilities across agencies to ensure accountability.

A woman in a blue shirt presents on sexual harassment prevention in a wooden room. — UNDP/Dechen Wangmo

A woman presents to an audience in a wooden conference room, with visible screens and seating. — UNDP/Dechen Wangmo

“This SOP serves as a vital framework to prevent sexual harassment through clear policies and awareness, empower employees to report incidents without fear of retaliation, and align workplace practices with national laws,” said the RCSC. “By equipping our Go-To Persons with the right knowledge and tools, we take another step toward ensuring that every workplace is one where dignity is upheld and respect is the norm.”

The initiative also aligns with recommendations from the 2023 assessment on promoting gender equality in public administration, conducted by the NCWC with support from UNDP and UNDESA.

For more information, please contact:

Dechen Wangmo, Communications and Partnerships Analyst; Email: dechen.wangmo@undp.org

Tshewang Lhamo, Gender Analyst; Email: tshewang.lhamo@undp.org