The bill meant to prevent sexual harassment of women at work places faces hurdles due to apprehensions in certain quarters about its possible misuse.
NEW DELHI: Despite concerted efforts by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the bill meant to prevent sexual harassment of women at work places faces many hurdles due to apprehensions in certain quarters about its possible misuse.
The ministry was earlier planning to bring the Protection Against Sexual Harassment of Women Bill in the coming session of Parliament, but the possibility now seems remote following the continous trickle of suggestions, appreciation, criticisms and apprehensions regarding the Bill.
“The ministry had inivited suggestions and observations to ensure a wider public debate. We have received a large number of suggestions. They will all be collated and studied and deliberated. Some of the positive suggestions may also be incorporated. All this would take time, so though we are trying, the Bill may not be tabled in the Parliament session,” Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury said.
However, she said the proposed Bill would go a long way in protecting women, especially those working in unorganised sector, from sexual harassment at workplace. Ms Chowdhury, who faced ire from some quarters following the passage of domestic violence bill, has maintained that the possibility of misuse of a bill by a miniscule section could not become ground for women being denied positive legislations to safeguard their rights and protect them from physical, emotional or psychological exploitation.
The Bill would provide redressal for women plagued by sexual harassment even in industries that have so far stayed out of the loop like hospitality, restaurants, NGOs, health services and coaching centres, domestic help, women working in tailoring, or beauty parlours. The proposed law would ensure that an employer must constitute an internal complaints panel where most members should be women.
In case an internal committee cannot be set up, the aggrieved woman can approach a local committee set up by the government.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}