core sector communique

Parliamentary Consultative Committee of WCD Ministry Discusses Sexual Harrasment at Workplace

Sexual harassment of women at workplace was discussed in the meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Parliament for the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) held recently at Indore. Welcoming the Honorable Members of the Consultative Committee, the Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Krishna Tirath, mentioned that the topic being discussed was at an advanced stage of enactment and she hoped that the proposed Bill gets the approval from both the Houses during the ensuing Monsoon Session of Parliament. She said that the Constitutional guarantee of gender equity under Article 14, 15 and 21 includes protection from sexual harassment and the right to work with dignity. She stated that the proposed Bill is an important step forward in helping women to secure their fundamental right as citizens to practice any profession or any occupation in an equitable, safe and secure environment. The Minister further stated that the proposed legislation has been prepared after extensive consultations with various stakeholders including lawyers and civil society organisations, and when enacted, it would have a far reaching positive impact on women’s participation in work, resulting in their economic empowerment and inclusive growth for the country. A presentation was made by the Ministry on the proposed legislation bringing out the implications of the various salient provisions. The Members felt that such legislation was very timely and would appropriately create the domestic law to address sexual harassment at work place, void of which was felt by the Honorable Supreme Court in its historic Vishaka vs. State of Rajasthan judgement in 1997.