Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace

The Section 23 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 casts the responsibility on the appropriate Government to monitor the implementation of this Act and maintain data on the number of cases filed and disposed off and there is no centralized mechanism to collect such data.

However, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has started collecting data under insult to the modesty of women (section 509 of IPC) at office premises and other places related to work since 2014. A total of 57 cases were reported at office premises and 469 cases were registered at other places related to work during 2014.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development had issued advisories to all States/UTs Government on 23rd December, 2013 and 27th October, 2014 to ensure effective implementation of the Act. The Ministries/Departments in Government of India have also been advised to ensure the compliance of the Act time to time.

Further, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has taken up the matter with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for the constitution of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in accordance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 as a mandatory disclosure under the Companies Act, 2013.

Moreover, the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Confederation of Indian Society, Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCI), and National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) have been requested to ensure effective implementation of the Act amongst their members in private sector.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Women & Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in reply to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha today.