Table 6 Personal and professional consequences of sexual harassment (Female health worker FGDs)

1. Loss of self-esteem/dignity

2. Loss of interest in the work

3. Lower productivity

4. Psychologically affected: Feeling stigmatized, depressed, guilty, self-blame, trauma

5. Conflict with spouse/divorce

6. Drop in work performance due to stress

7. Decreased job satisfaction

8. Absenting oneself from work/absconding

9. Health consequences: HIV/STI, unwanted pregnancy, abortions

10. Relationship between perpetrator and target undermined

11. Poor work conditions

12. Bad comment on your performance appraisal (Retaliation)

13. Delay in your confirmation (Retaliation)

14. Deleting your name from the payroll and you miss your salary (Retaliation)

15. Demotion when you refuse to give in (e.g. supervisor can demote you from being an in-charge of a ward to a mere nurse (Retaliation)

16. Loss of job, promotion or economic benefit (Retaliation)

17. Unwanted, punitive transfers (Retaliation)