In light of recent events in India, women have been using social media platforms to voice their experiences with sexual harassment in the workplace. Addressing these alarming revelations, the government has formed a Group of Ministers (GoM) to review and reinforce the structuring of legal systems and organizations aimed at dealing with such matters.
Formation of the Group of Ministers
The GoM consists of five members, including the Union Home Minister who is at the group’s helm. Their primary focus is analyzing the existing precautions in place for women’s safety and giving their official recommendations within three months after the group’s formation.
Introduction of SHe-Box
To make it easier for women to report incidents of harassment, the Ministry of Women & Child Development has introduced the Sexual Harassment electronic Box, commonly known as SHe-Box. This system aims to provide single window access to women, regardless of whether they work in organized or unorganized sectors, private or public industries. The perceived advantage of this tool is that it allows women to officially register their complaints about sexual harassment. Upon submission of a complaint via SHe-Box, the case is automatically relayed to the concerned authority in charge of taking appropriate action in the matter.
The Protection of Women Against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013
This act was established to promote a safer work environment for women by clearly defining what constitutes as sexual harassment and setting up procedures for handling complaints. It also incorporates safeguards against false or malicious allegations. One of the key requirements of the Act is that each employer must set up an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in any office or branch with 10 or more employees.
| Provisions of the Act | Details |
|---|---|
| Internal Complaints Committee | Required in every office or branch with 10 or more employees, has powers of civil courts for gathering evidence |
| Conciliation | Opportunity given to the complainant before inquiry begins |
| Penalties | Non-compliance with the Act can result in monetary penalties. Repeated offenses can lead to higher penalties and revocation of business license or registration |
Local Complaints Committee (LCC)
Every district will have a District Officer, appointed by the State Government, who will establish an LCC. This is to ensure that women working in unorganized sectors or small establishments also have access to a harassment-free environment at work.
As this matter continues to be in the public eye, it’s pertinent to remain informed about movements like #MeToo which strive to expose sexual harassment in all walks of life.