Sexual harassment is a subject that, today, is more openly discussed. On Saturday, at a gathering organised by the Association of British Scholars (ABS), Chennai, and the Network of Women in Media, participants did just that.
The workshop on the Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Act was attended and led by women intent on making a difference and bringing about gender equality and mutual respect in their workplaces, and beyond. “Sexual harassment happens everywhere. It is faced by domestic workers, in the office and at home,” said advocate P. Selvi, who is also a member of ABS, Chennai, in her welcome address.
The workshop was aimed at opening up discussion on sexual harassment at the workplace as well as bringing to light what people can do to discourage inappropriate behaviour by colleagues.
Anupama Srinivasan of Prajnya Trust spoke on making employees aware of sexual harassment and remedial actions available. “Where do you draw the line between flirting and harassment? The onus is on not only companies, but also academic institutions,” she said. Institutions sending students for internships should prepare them, she added. Students must be able to recognise sexual harassment and know their legal rights and avenues of help, she pointed out.
The law against sexual harassment is one that is meant “to prevent, protect and address,” said lawyer Sheila Jayaprakash in her address. False ideas of sexual harassment, lack of knowledge on the options for getting help as well as a tendency to not react, makes the law against sexual harassment difficult to implement. People must be educated and a change must be brought about, she added, elaborating the various provisions of the Act.
Rasheeda Bhagat, editorial consultant, The Hindu Business Line , spoke of the constitution of an Internal Complaints Committee under the Act, for all publications of Kasturi and Sons Ltd group.
