Take steps to prevent sexual harassment at work place: NCW

BINDU SHAJAN PERAPPADAN

Stating that there is a need to ensure that women are allowed to work without facing any sexual harassment at work place, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has recently asked the Central Government to direct its departments, institutions and autonomous bodies to set up active internal complaints committees.

“These should be a set-up in compliance with the Supreme Court guidelines to ensure that women have the confidence to go out and work. We are getting several complaints from various educational, public sector and multi-national companies about sexual harassment at work place and hence it is important that not only are these committees set up but that they stay functional and useful for the women,” said NCW member Nirmala Samant Prabhavalkar.

“There has to be proper co-ordination within the committee to ensure that an atmosphere of trust is created between the employee and the management and that cases of harassment are dealt firmly at an early stage and not allowed to escalate,’’ she added.

Stating that the Commission is also of the view that women who register an official complaint about sexual harassment at workplace should not be singled out and subjected to further harassment, Ms. Prabhavalkar said: “Interactive sessions and awareness workshops on prevention of sexual harassment at workplace are key to the success of the programme.”

“The aim should be to ensure that work is done to prohibit and prevent sexual harassment and that when it is reported it is dealt with in a professional, swift and balanced manner,” she said.

In its letter to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry Secretary on October 8, NCW has recommended that the committee should be publicised through posters and banners which should have contact details of its members.

“It is also important that information about these committees be provided and we have recommended that posters be put up at prominent places for spreading awareness on the issue of sexual harassment,” noted that letter issued by the Commission.

The Commission has also noted that measures should be taken to ensure that employees have the confidence to file complaints without fear or apprehension of the stature or seniority of the perpetrator.

“Direct departments, institutions and autonomous bodies to set up active internal complaints committees

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