Delay in cases of workplace sexual harassment; Women and Child Development Minister to review handling

Taking note of delay in investigation of sexual harassment cases in government offices, the Union Women and Child Development Ministry on Friday said it will issue a "strict" advisory on disposing of such issues in a "timely and sensitive manner".

Women in central government offices approached Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi ruing that investigations by Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in offices were often delayed and complaints were also not redressed as per guidelines "I will review the handling of complaints of sexual harassment at work place at my level," Gandhi was quoted as saying in a series of tweets by the Union Ministry.

The Minister also called the heads of Internal Complaints Committees in various central government departments to make presentations on selected complaints.

"This will enable us to issue strict advisory to all government organisations on how to dispose of complaints in a timely and sensitive manner," Gandhi said.

The Minister also requested women employees in government organisations, whose complaints have not been redressed so far, to approach her and also inform if there is no ICC at their work place.

She also added that the Ministry will also take up the issue of handling of such complaints in non-government organisations too.