Sexual Harassment of women at workplace: Ladakh admin to act tough, frames committee

Jammu: While the Prime Minister Narendra Modi headed government at the Centre is focusing on ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ besides empowering the women fraternity in every field, the Government of Union Territory of Ladakh following the footsteps with an aim to make women more secure and safer, have constituted a committee to keep check on complaints regarding sexual harassment at workplace.
As per order issued by the Commissioner/Secretary, General Administration Department, Ladakh, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Compliant Committee has been constituted under Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
The government order Number 103-LA (GAD) of 2020 read that in pursuance of Section 4(l) of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, sanction is accorded to the constitution of the Complaint Committee, to register and enquire into and dispose of the complaints, if any, of sexual harassment against women employees of the Civil Secretariat.
The committee will be headed by Tashi Dolma, KAS, Additional Secretary, Home Department as its Chairperson while Mohammad Taqi, Under Secretary, Gulnaz Goni, Law Officer, GAD, Representative of a NGO to be nominated by the Social Welfare Department and any other person co-opted by the Chairperson are the members.
“The committee shall submit to the Government in General Administration Department, the report on each complaint received by it regarding sexual harassment against women employee(s) of the Secretariat for consideration of the Administration; Quarterly/ annual reports about the total number of complaints received, enquired into by the Committee and action taken on the same,” said an official quoting the order.
He added that the Committee shall also meet as often and it is further ordered that, all the Administrative Secretaries shall constitute similar committees in their respective departments at the UT/Division and District levels as the case may be.
“These committees shall address all complaints of sexual harassment and submit action taken reports to the Administration with specific recommendations, in accordance with rules, on quarterly/annual basis,” he said and added that the Constitution/composition of the committees shall be reviewed periodically by the General Administration Department/Administrative Department to include/exclude the members as a consequence of retirement, transfer etc.
Sexual harassment at a workplace is considered violation of women's right to equality, life and liberty.
It creates an insecure and hostile work environment, which discourages women's participation in work, thereby adversely affecting their social and economic empowerment and the goal of inclusive growth.
With this idea the legislature formulated the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013.
The need for such legislation was observed first time by the Supreme Court, in Vishaka v State of Rajasthan.
In the absence of any law at that time providing measures to check the evil of sexual harassment of working women, the Supreme Court, in exercise of power available under Article 32 of the Constitution, framed guidelines to be followed at all workplaces or institutions, until a legislation is enacted for the purpose.
The Act also provides the circumstances under which an act may amount to sexual harassment comprising implied or explicit promise of preferential treatment in her employment; or implied or explicit threat of detrimental treatment in her employment ; or implied or explicit threat about her present or future employment status; or interference with her work or creating an intimidating or offensive or hostile work environment for her; or humiliating treatment likely to affect her health or safety.
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 was passed by the Lok Sabha on September 3, 2012.
It was passed by the Rajya Sabha on February 26, 2013.
The Bill got the assent of the President on April 23, 2013 and it came into force from December 9, 2013.

Updated On 11/29/2020 1:30:52 PM