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Maternity harassment refers to the unfair treatment, bullying, or discrimination women may face in the workplace due to pregnancy, childbirth, or the use of parental leave systems. In Japan, this issue is so common it is abbreviated to マタハラ, Matahara (short for maternity harassment) and has become a social and legal concern in recent years.
What Is Maternity Harassment?
editMaternity harassment includes a range of negative behaviors targeting pregnant women or new mothers. These can be:
- Unwanted verbal, physical, or sexual behavior related to pregnancy or recent childbirth, such as comments about appearance or health.[1]
- Unfair treatment after pregnancy is revealed, such as being overlooked for promotions, sidelined, or assigned only menial tasks.[2]
- Pressure to resign or firing due to pregnancy or maternity leave, or preventing the use of legally protected maternity systems.[1]
- Reduction in responsibilities, refusal of reasonable accommodations, or forced job changes with demotion.[3]
- Hostile work environment, including repetitive inappropriate jokes, actions, or social exclusion.[4]
Understanding "Matahara" in Japan
editThe term Matahara merges "maternity" and "harassment," highlighting the specific challenges women endure in Japan's workplaces when pregnant or after childbirth. Common examples include being bullied, pressured to quit, denied advancement, or terminated solely due to pregnancy status. Surveys show that nearly 1 in 4 Japanese women who became pregnant while working experienced matahara.[5][6]
Matahara is now recognized alongside power harassment and sexual harassment as one of the three major forms of harassment in Japanese workplaces. Victims report inadequate support; employers sometimes ignore requests for lighter duties or reinstate mothers only to lower positions.[7][8]
Legal Protection and Social Impact
editAlthough laws exist to protect pregnant employees and new mothers, maternity harassment persists globally. In the UK, maternity harassment is typically classified as discrimination based on sex, and employers can be held legally responsible for failing to prevent such behavior. In Japan, despite new policies, still faces challenges addressing matahara at a practical level. The Constitutional Democratic Party, Japan's largest opposition party, added to their policies that they vow to address with immediate affect if they win the next general election, winning them huge support. [2][3]
The core issue is the creation of a hostile or degrading environment for pregnant workers, violating their dignity and limiting their professional potential.[4]
Addressing Maternity Harassment
edit- Raising awareness: Public education and workplace training about maternity harassment can reduce stigma and discrimination.[5]
- Strengthening policies: Employers must actively prevent and respond to harassment, including making reasonable adjustments for pregnant employees.[6]
- Legal recourse: Victims may bring claims under employment discrimination laws—but stronger enforcement and support are needed for real change.[7]
Maternity harassment, including matahara, undermines equality and workplace wellbeing, demanding concerted efforts at all levels to eradicate it.[8]
References
edit- ^ Dev, Cavendish Employment Law (2024-07-10). "Employees Guide to Maternity Discrimination". www.cavendishlaw.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ^ "Pregnancy and Maternity Rights". BDBF LLP. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ^ Beyer, Vicki L. (2019-03-30). "Ladies & The Law: Battling The Invisible Enemy Behind Every Maternity Harassment Case". Savvy Tokyo. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ^ "Discrimination, harassment and victimisation: Overview". Working Families. 2022-05-03. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ^ "WHAT IS "MATAHARA"". マタハラNet (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ^ Kazdin, Cole (2016-03-21). "For Women in Japan, Maternity Harassment Is the Mother of All Problems". VICE. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ^ "WHAT IS "MATAHARA"". マタハラNet (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ^ Beyer, Vicki L. (2019-03-30). "Ladies & The Law: Battling The Invisible Enemy Behind Every Maternity Harassment Case". Savvy Tokyo. Retrieved 2025-08-27.