Right
to a safe workplace is women's right, says the Supreme Court of
India. In
1997 The Supreme Court recognised and addressed sexual harassment at
workplace as systemic discrimination against women. The
judgement created mandatory sexual harassment prevention guidelines
for the workplace. This is applicable all over India. The
knowledge and information about it can lead to a workplace free of
sexual harassment.
What
is Sexual Harassment
Myths
and Facts
Supreme
Court Guidelines for Preventive and Remedial Measures
|
Don't
ignore sexual harassment
in
the hope that it will stop. It won't.
Take
positive steps NOW.
|
Q.
What is sexual harassment?
A.
It is any unwelcome words or actions of sexual nature.
Instances
where:
In the absence of sexual favours, a contractor denies payment of
wages,
Pornographic picture are left on desks or displayed at the
workplace,
Remarks are made about women's personal appearance and dress,
A colleague tells off-colored jokes in the office that makes women
feel uncomfortable, constitute sexual harassment.
Q.
Why should I know about sexual harassment?
A.
Because it is unprofessional and illegal. It can happen to you or
anywhere around you.
Women
face sexual harassment irrespective of the work they do, whether
they are doctors, architects, domestic workers or teachers. In the
cities and villages. Though the number of women in workforce
is rising, there is little or no change in attitudes towards women
in the family and community. The risk of women at work, being
victims of sexual harassment from superiors or colleagues is
endless. It is offensive and controlling. So, all women have good
reason to be concerned about sexual conduct at work.
Because
of myths and stereotypes women's ability to recognise and deal with
sexual harassment has been restricted. Physical touch, suggestive
language and subtle advances, have often been viewed as
"normal". A victim of sexual harassment has much more than
her bodily integrity to protect: her livelihood and reputation are
at stake.
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Myths
& Facts
Myth:
It is inevitable that women who go out for work will face sexual harassment.
Fact:
Women have a right to safe, violence free working environment.
Myth:
Only those women who dress provocatively get sexually harassed.
Fact:
Women get sexually harassed irrespective of their dress and age.
Myth:
Only lower class women are victims of sexual harassment.
Fact:
Women of all classes get sexually harassed.
Myth:
Women invite sexual harassment.
Fact:
Most women are humiliated angry and frightened by sexual harassment.
Myth:
Women make false complaints.
Fact:
Most women are hesitant even to speak of their experience and lodge complaints
let alone make false complaints.
Myth:
Women cannot object to "friendly" behavior in workplaces. It is
normal.
Fact:
Friendly behavior unwelcome to women is sexual harassment.
But
Q.
What is a workplace?
A.
Any place where the working relation exists. It can be office, factory, schools,
colleges or houses.
Q.
Who is a worker?
A.
Anyone who is paid a salary, wage, honorarium or is a voluntary worker with no
payment.
All
government and private sector organisations, hospitals, universities and
unorganized sector are workplaces. All employers or heads of institutions are to
institute specific conduct rules and preventive measures to eliminate sexual
harassment.
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Guidelines
On Prevention of Sexual Harassment
The
guidelines suggest both preventive and remedial measures:
The
employers should
1.
Set up a Sexual Harassment Complaints Committee which
is headed by a woman
has a minimum of 50% women members
has at least one outside member who is familiar with the issue.
2.
Make the employees aware by
widely publicising the guidelines
awareness workshops
members' name and addresses prominently displayed.
3.
Amend conduct rules to prohibit sexual harassment.
4.
Ensure that no woman employee
has any grounds to believe that she is disadvantaged in connection with
the employment if she complains about sexual harassment.
The
first step in combating
sexual
harassment is to remember that it is not the woman's fault. It is the harasser
who is at fault.
File
a formal complaint. In the meantime:
Demand setting up the sexual harassment complaints committee whether there are
formal complaints or not.
Record your experiences. Maintain a diary.
Talk to others. You may not be the only one who is being harassed.
Take help of your friends and colleagues. Have a witness to a situation where
you are being sexually harassed.
You
can get in touch with HHS for:
seeking information on setting up of SH committee
referral and counselling.
creating awareness regarding working women's rights.
DOs & DON'Ts for Sexual Harassment Complaint's Committees
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