The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) has called for formation of monitoring committees to prevent sexual harassment of women.
Vice-president of AIDWA U. Vasuki told reporters here on Friday that sexual harassment against women was increasing at work places. If a company has more than 10 women employees, a committee should be formed to ensure that the Vishaka Committee guidelines are implemented. At the district-level, this should be monitored by a committee headed by the District Collector.
The AIDWA submitted a memorandum in this regard to the Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore Rural District. It said that to prevent crimes against women and children and to improve awareness among the public, the police and the women organisations should jointly conduct discussions and monthly meetings.
Ms. Vasuki pointed out that a student faced sexual harassment from a teacher at the Tiruvannamalai agricultural college and cases were registered against six people. The District Court ordered transfer of the student to the Coimbatore agricultural college to continue studies. However, she is yet to get admission here and it is said that she is asked to withdraw the complaint. The AIDWA condemned this and sought admission for the student at the Coimbatore college.
The AIDWA has written to the Chief Secretary five times seeking appointment to discuss problems faced by women. However, the Chief Secretary is yet to give time. Earlier it was difficult to meet the Chief Minister but now it is difficult to meet even the Chief Secretary, she alleged.
The Association also does not have faith in the State Government’s announcement that Tasmac outlets are getting closed. Recently, the State Government distributed ₹1,000 for PDS card holders. While many did not get the amount, the outgo for this was less than the revenue earned by the Tasmac outlets during Pongal.
Ms. Vasuki added that Prime Minster Narendra Modi recently said people should have confidence in his government. However, in the last four years the government has not kept up any of its promises. So people cannot have faith in the government. It has not generated jobs for 10 crore people as promised. Instead the country is facing unemployment levels not seen in the last 45 years. A survey on unemployment was also stopped by the government. This shows it has a reason to hide, she said.
