Born: 1978
Biography:
Sayaka Osakabe, born on May 29, 1978, is a Japanese women’s rights activist. She has played a crucial role in advocating for the enforcement of Japan’s Equal Opportunities law and obtaining recognition from the government that maternal harassment is illegal. For her remarkable contributions, she was honored with the US State Department’s International Women of Courage Award in 2015.
Sayaka Osakabe’s journey began in Japan in 1978. Initially working as a magazine editor, her life took an unexpected turn when she became pregnant. Instead of supporting her with shorter working hours, her boss attempted to pressure her into quitting her job. Sadly, she experienced two miscarriages during this period. Faced with opposition and discrimination, Osakabe decided to seek approved leave of absence if she were to become pregnant again. Regrettably, her request was denied, leaving her with no choice but to resign from her job under duress.
Osakabe refused to let this injustice go unchallenged. She took her case to a labor tribunal, fighting for her rights and the rights of countless other women who were enduring similar discrimination. In June 2014, after a prolonged legal battle, Osakabe emerged victorious. Inspired by her own struggles, she decided to establish a support group named Matahara Net, derived from the combination of the English words maternity and harassment, giving birth to a new legal term. Through Matahara Net, Osakabe aimed to provide assistance to women facing similar challenges and bring attention to the issue of maternity harassment.
As of 2019, Japan ranks a disheartening 121st in the world in terms of workplace equality, according to the World Economic Forum. Official labor statistics reveal that one in four working women in Japan has experienced maternity harassment. Despite the fact that Japanese law guarantees women the right to seek less physically demanding roles during pregnancy and allows for 14 weeks of maternity leave or parental leave, many women fail to utilize these protections due to concerns over job insecurity.
Osakabe’s efforts extended beyond her personal case and maternity harassment cases. She stood up for other women, showing her consistent commitment to the empowerment of women in Japan. Notably, on September 18, 2014, Osakabe and members of Matahara Net attended a trial at the Supreme Court to support another woman who faced demotion by her hospital employer during her pregnancy. Even though a lower court ruled that the demotion fell within the scope of the hospital’s authority over personnel issues, it was a violation of Japan’s Equal Employment Opportunity Law, which specifically prohibits demotion based on pregnancy.
In a groundbreaking ruling on October 23, 2014, the Supreme Court of Japan overturned the lower court verdicts and established that demotion or any other punitive measures based on pregnancy are in direct violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Law. This ruling marked a significant victory for women’s rights and set an important precedent for future cases.
Sayaka Osakabe remains steadfast in her efforts with Matahara Net, working tirelessly to promote the empowerment of women and effect lasting change in public policy and social perception. Her ultimate goal is to create equal work opportunities for all women, championing the rights of the many rather than just a privileged few.
Thanks to Osakabe’s profound commitment and persistent activism, maternal harassment has been punishable by law in Japan since 2017. Her tireless pursuit of justice has made a substantial impact on the lives of countless women in Japan and continues to be an inspiration for women’s rights activists worldwide.
Awards:
– 2015: US State Department’s International Women of Courage Award.