Twitter
Advertisement

Bhanwari Devi urges women to fight against sexual harassment

The Women Development Cell (WDC), University of Mumbai, on Tuesday organised a seminar — Facing and fighting sexual harassment — at their Kalina campus. Bhanwari Devi, whose alleged gang rape caused a stir nationally and internationally and led to the formation of Vishaka Guidelines, was felicitated and involved in a live talk about her life and journey after the incident.

Latest News
article-main
The seminar on sexual harassment was held at the Kalina campus of Mumbai University
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The Women Development Cell (WDC), University of Mumbai, on Tuesday organised a seminar — Facing and fighting sexual harassment — at their Kalina campus. Bhanwari Devi, whose alleged gang rape caused a stir nationally and internationally and led to the formation of Vishaka Guidelines, was felicitated and involved in a live talk about her life and journey after the incident.

Advocate Jai Vaidya explained the recently formed Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, where she spoke about the prevention, prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment.

"The law is not restricted to workplace alone. Any place with 10 or more employees which is a source of income is under this law. An internal complaints committee is a must in every company which is independent and creates a productive environment for its employees. The law has many salient features but it needs to improve its status of being victim-centric," said Vaidya.

"It's a challenge for any woman to explain the subtle forms of sexual harassment, but it's something that only she can explain. There also needs to be a lawyer to cross-examine the respondent's claims. A woman can also be punished if the respondent claims of being defamed. Unless the victim wishes to start the redressal machinery, it can't begin."

Vaidya added that the national policy for women and the actual reality are very different.

Bhanwari Devi, who has been a 'saathin' to educate masses about child marriage, female foeticide and education for more than 25 years, spoke about her life and her fight for justice, something which she hasn't received even today.

Two men of the four, who allegedly gang-raped her for stopping a child marriage, are still roaming free, while the others have died. "If I don't fight for justice, the generations coming after me won't get it either. My family stopped talking to me after the incident and the law didn't help me, with the police not registering my FIR on time. I faced insensitivity at their hands, policemen asked me if I know how a rape is done. My village still hasn't accepted me but I'll continue to fight because I have my family supporting me," she said.

"If a girl feels harassed by any man, she should pick up her shoes and hit him. Women only show their weakness but not their strength," added a teary-eyed Bhanwari Devi in her native Marwadi language and finished with a song urging women to come together and fight.

The seminar, attended by vice chancelor Dr Rajan Welukar, Board of College and University Development director Rajpal Hande and WDC chairperson Kranti Jejurkar, also saw a play by college students on sexual harassment.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement