Law Relating to Sexual Harassment at Workplace in India

Must for all Organizations. Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 provides protection against sexual harassment of women at the workplace and for the prevention and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Sexual harassment results in violation of the fundamental rights of a woman to equality under articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India and her right to life and to live with dignity under article 21 of the Constitution and right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business with includes a right to a safe environment free from sexual harassment.

The protection against sexual harassment and the right to work with dignity are universally recognised human rights by international conventions and instruments such as Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, which has been ratified on the 25th June, 1993 by the Government of India. Accordingly, a law has been enacted for giving effect to the said Convention for protection of women against sexual harassment at workplace.

The number one cause of sexual harassment at the workplace is the dominant position of the harasser and the powerlessness of the aggrieved woman. The woman must muster the courage to speak up against the wrong, not just for herself, but for other women too. Women not speaking up against sexual harassment will give a boost to sexual harassers.

Through this course, understand what your rights and remedies are and how you can deal with sexual harassment at the workplace.