Author:
Ensuring a Safe Work Environment for Women:
PRIA launches a book and online course on
Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace
Staring, lewd remarks, wolf-whistles... Which woman in India has not faced this in public spaces? And today, as large numbers of women enter the workforce, they also increasingly face sexual harassment at the workplace.
The newly enacted Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 has made redressal and prevention of sexual harassment within the workplace a central concern for all organisations in India. Despite enactment of the law, its implementation is lacking among government agencies, public sector undertakings, educational institutions and private business.
PRIA organized a conference on Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace to sensitize men and women towards this set of issues and deliberate upon ways and means to accelerate implementation of this important legislation. PRIA has been working to promote such awareness and compliance for the past five years. It has worked with a diverse set of actors in this regard, like Delhi Commission of Women, Airports Authority of India, ILO/Labour Directorate, several universities and colleges, private business and Panchayati Raj Institutions. An eminent panel of experts spoke at the conference. Ms ShaminaShafiq, National Commission from Women (NCW) explained the perspective of the NCW on this issue. Dr (Mrs) Pankaj Mittal from the UGCC spoke on some of the strategies being taken by UGC to ensure compliance in colleges and universities. Mr Prabhat Krishna, Credentials India, spoke on the responsibility and role of HR professionals to ensure that compliance with the Act is not merely in letter but also in spirit.Dr Pinky Anand, Additional Solicitor General, Supreme Court of India, gave the keynote address.
In her keynote address, Dr Pinky Anand, said: "Article 32 and judicial activism gave us the Vishakha Guidelines⦠but much before the Vishakha Guidelines and the Act, I have found self-defence is the best defence. While the purpose of the law is to act as a preventive, a solution, and a deterrent, this issue cannot be addressed single-handedly. As civil society, we must take action, multiply what we are doing and bring about change.â
Is your organization compliant with Indiaâs anti-sexual harassment law? "Any organisation that does not have a sexual harassment committee will face serious legal action,â said Union Minister of Women and Child Development during a press conference held by the ministry on completing 100 days in office. PRIAâs one-of-a-kind, innovative online training capsule on the Act will help organisations get compliant with this law. Comprising three modules, each of only an hour, employees and employers can learn in a short time what constitutes sexual harassment at the workplace, provisions of the Act and the redressal mechanisms available to them should they face such a situation.
The conference also saw the release of Engendering the Workplace: Gender Discrimination and Prevention of Sexual Harassment in Organisations, a book written by Dr Martha Farrell, Director, PRIA, who has been working on this issue for over a decade. The book was released by Dr Pinky Anand, Additional Solicitor General, Supreme Court of India.
Dr. Martha Farrell, author and developer of the course says, "It is not only a matter of compliance with the law, but actual learning by both men and women on this set of issues that is equally important. With the book and the online eLearning training courseware, PRIA aims to impart the knowledge and the will to change behaviour, in order to create a conducive workplace environment.â
Please read Dr. Marthaâs interview where she talks about the subject - http://www.iamin.in/en/south-delhi/news/sexual-harassment-exists-civil-society-organisations-too-42944
Other media coverage
Karya sthal par youn utpidan rokane ki pahal - Aaj Samaj, 29 Sept, 2014
Workplace par sexual harassment rokne ki pahal - After Break, 06 Oct, 2014
Sexual harassment rokne ki pahal - Amar Bharti, 30 Sept, 2014
Workplace par sexual harassment rokne ki pahal - Amrit Garima, 02 Oct, 2014
Workplace par sexual harassment rokne ki pahal - Amrit India, 01 Oct, 2014
Ab roka jayega workplace par sexual harassment - Hello Hindustan, 29 Sept, 2014
Youn utpidan ko lekar seminar ka aayojan - Hindustan , 02 Oct, 2014
Workplace par sexual harassment rokne ki - Mahamedha, 30 Sept, 2014
Workplace par sexual harassment rukne ki pahal par karyakram aur book release - Nagar Darpan, 28 Sept, 2014
Workplace par sexual harassment rokne ka prayaas - Punjab Keshri, 03 Oct, 2014
Pustak ka vimochan - Sadbhawna Times, 27 Sept, 2014
PRIA’s MobiliseHER team traveled to Bangalore during the week of June, 10 – 14, 2024. The aim of the visit was to gain relevant insights into the civil society ecosystem in Bangalore and meet different organisations to understand the city through a lens of gender and inclusive mobility.
Working at PRIA, often leads us to various cities across the country. Each trip is an opportunity to witness firsthand the challenges and triumphs of different communities.
Mr. Yedukrishnan V has recently joined PRIA after gaining valuable experience in the development sector. Drawing from his journey in the social sector and personal encounters in Kerala, he emphasises the importance of participatory governance and research in empowering marginalised communities.'
