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Journalism of Courage
Sexual harassment at the workplace may soon become a ‘‘serious’’ offence. Today, the contours of a first-ever law on the issue was finalised at a meeting convened by the National Commission for Women (NCW), after five years of consultations.
Tentatively called ‘The Protection Against Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplaces-2005’, the proposed law would cover women in all professions, including casual labourers and prisoners—even consumers. The onus of providing an ‘‘atmosphere free of sexual harassment’’ for women would be on the employer, according to the final proposal agreed upon by various women’s groups at the meeting.
‘‘Probably, sex workers are the only group left out of the ambit of this proposed law,’’ said Indira Jaisingh, lawyer. The government has been asked to separately deal with the working conditions of ‘‘sex workers’’.
The proposed law, slated to be placed before Parliament in the winter session, seeks severe punishment to the extent of dismissal of the offender.
Girija Vyas, chairperson NCW said, ‘‘Complaints of sexual harassment are increasing from all sides, including from IAS officers and those working in PSUs… We have received three complaints about sexual abuse of girls, who are living with their mothers in prisons.’’
The current meeting made two changes in the earlier version of the draft—it specified the word ‘workplace’ in the nomenclature and brought within its ambit consumers, too. This means when a woman is subjected to harassment at a clinic or hospital or while checking in at a hotel, the offenders can be booked.
The law specifies that each employer will have empowered committees to deal with complaints of sexual harassment. Also, procedures have been laid down for their functioning, including setting up of appeal systems.
Women activists have welcomed the bill, which comes after the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act that was passed in the recently concluded session of Parliament.
