Sounds like MelCthefirst and you encountered similar situations.
That DOES make it more complicated, when the women in question are willing participants in doing an end-run around the idea of a strict-merit system.
Oh yes, those are worse, that skill and intelligence makes the disconnect easier, because knowing they could do the job on merit, but so could others, they see proferring of sexual favors an “edge”, a little something extra they can throw in if they want to, but don’t have to. Intelligent people can rationalize just about any conduct if they really put their mind to it.
In my career, I’ve seen this kind of behavior a lot – ambitious people using sex, connections, whatever they can to get ahead. Good luck trying to stop 'em.
On a related note - bullying in the workplace is also alive and kicking. With both bullying and sexual harassment, nothing can be done if the organisation condones it. This may be by doing nothing or it may be by protecting people who have complaints laid against them - usually because they are in high places or they have friends or family in high places. Your only recourse, should you be the one being bullied, is to leave - it is also the only way to maintain your sanity. In organisations that have active policies - you have a better chance of survival and your complaints will be taken seriously. I’m guessing that in these type of orgs. bullying and sexual harassment are less likely to crop up in the first place.