The Minister of Women and Child Development, Maneka Sanjey Gandhi launched an online complaint management system titled Sexual Harassment Electronic-Box (SHE-BOX) for registering complaints related to sexual harassment at workplaces. Once the complaint is lodged to SHE-BOX, it will be directly sent to the internal complaints committee ( ICC) of the ministry/department/PSU/ autonomous body etc concerned, having jurisdiction to inquire into the matter. The complaint management system has been developed to ensure the effective implementation of Sexual harassment of women at work place. The portal is an initiative to provide a platform to women working or visiting any office of Central government,( central ministries development, public sector undertaking, autonomous bodies and institutions etc) to file complaints related to sexual harassment at workplace under the Sexual harassment Act.
Sexual harassment has to come to be widely recognized as a form of human rights violation. Women are sexually harassed in the offices, educational institutions, streets, public transport and other different workplaces. Sexual harassment includes a demand or request for sexual favor, making sexually coloured remarks, eve-teasing, any other unwelcome physical or verbal or non verbal conduct of sexual nature, displaying pornographic pictures, gender based insults or sexist remarks etc. Thomson Reuters Foundation conducted a global study survey and as per it India is the fourth (4th) most dangerous country in the world for women. Sexual harassment is on the peak in India as per the global survey of Thomson Reuters. As per the report of Times of India seven out of ten womens are sexually harassed.
Sexual Harassment in J&K
In Jammu and Kashmir reported cases of sexual harassment have been less in comparison. 1326 rape cases had been registered in the State since 2006. However recordes since 2010 show crime against women and girls is on the rise in J&K with 9634 cases involving molestation, kidnapping, rape and abduction. Recently the Government admitted that there has been an increase in cases of violence against women during 2017. 3,957 persons were arrested in 2017 year upto November. Government has established grievance cell under the charge of Commissioner and secretary social welfare in the civil secretariat to look into the complaints relating to sexual harassment of the female employees.
Some Constitutional guards for Sexual harassment:
Constitution provides strict laws against sexual harassment but the problem is lack or absence of information about civil rights among citizens. Constitution guarentees full protection to women against sexual harassment. Under the Section 294 of IPC, singing lewd songs directed at women in public spaces is considered sexual harassment and the offender could be jailed upto 3 months or be fine or both. Under Section 354(D) of IPC, following someone without their knowledge is stalking and is an act of sexual harassment; the man can face jail term ranging 3-5 years with fine. Watching, capturing or sharing images of a women engaging in a private act without her consent is voyeurism and is punishable under the IPC Section 354(C). The man faces Jail term ranging from 1-3 years in addition to fine. If the man is convicted the second time, then he faces Jail term ranging from 3-7 years along with fine.
An overwhelming majority of women who experience sexual harassment do not register a police complaint due to fear of social stigma, family pressure, police attitude, prolonged court trial etc. Problem of sexual harassment can be eradicated by launching SHE-BOX portal in every state. Education and awareness can play a big role in preventing sexual harassment. Lawyers and Law students can play very crucial role in order to overcome the menace of sexual harassment, lawyers and law students can spread awareness among women about their rights. persons engaged with law profession have to organize awareness programs at work places, schools, colleges, universities, public and private offices. Police must cooperate and support such initiatives. Anti- sexual harassment cell should be constituted in educational institutions, work places and other private institutions.
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