How to make work places safer for women ?
The Asian Age (Aug 2003)
By Skimmy Gupta
India Centre for Human Rights and Law (ICHRL) organized a public meeting on sexual harassment - How to make work places safer for women on August 22nd, 2003) at YMCA, Colaba. Members on the panel included Advocate Mihir Desai, Students of Sophia College and Renuka Mukadam, Assistant Co-ordinator, Campaign Against Sexual Harassment (CASH).Dr.Asha Bajpai, chairman, Gender Cell, TISS released bimonthly magazine " Combat law“ - a women’s special issue on several bills and forms of violence against women at the event attended by concerned citizens, working women, legal professionals and social activists.
Pratibha Pandya, a victim of sexual harassment herself released a research study conducted by ICHRL in co-ordination with Sociology Department of the Sophia College on perceptions and experiences of the workingwomen at their work place. The study based on a sample database revealed 53%: women had either witnessed or knew about sexual harassment of their aquaintances; 61% could identify physical misbehavior as sexual harassment. 25% of women respondents admitted sexual harassment occurs frequently, while 43% said it was still prevalent at their present workplace.
Danielle and Jwala, students of Sophia College presented case studies about sexual harassment of women at work places and its social norms which were quite shocking and struck an emotional chord with the women audience.
Case Study: Danielle spoke about her case study wherein she interviewed a lady (who was a secretary in a company). The lady's superior was friendly with her and started greeting her " Hi baby” “ Hi sweet heart “ and later asked for a sexual favor. When she refused; he brushed it as a joke. But one day; he called her to the storehouse and raped her. Deciding to punish her superior; she reported to her boss but no action was taken. When she spoke to her family, they blamed her. Even her co-workers did not trust her. She no courage to complain the police, as her own people did not believe her.
Jwala narrated a similar story wherein she said,“A 24 year old victim of sex harassment till date sits at home waiting to get married and has vowed not to work again. The fear of the incident has embedded deep in her mind.”
Research study
The study covered sample of 76 women (respondents): 51% of respondents belonged to the Private sector, 25% to the Government sector and 17% were self-employed or professionals
61% respondents: Identified physical misbehavior as sexual harassment.
25%: Sexual harassment occurs frequently, 36%: rarely occurs, 7%:does not occur.
53%: Either witnessed or knew about sexual harassment of someone else, 42%: Friend was harassed, 33% -Colleague at workplace was harassed.
46%: Shared their experience of sexual harassment at workplace, 43%: It still occurs at their present workplace
31%: Faced verbal harassment like slang remarks, talks on sexual intercourse, comments figure etc, 29%: Faced unwanted physical contacts
24%: Aware of Supreme Court guidelines,64% unaware.
Advocate Mihir Desai gave an overview of implementation on Vishaka in Maharashtra stated, “The Supreme Court of India passed a landmark judgement (called Vishaka guidelines) on the issue of sexual harassment at workplace on 13th August 1997.The court defined sexual harassment giving certain mandatory and binding guidelines to be followed by every workplace in India. Six years down the line, its actual implementation is mixed.”
Renuka Mukadam - Asst. Co-ordinator, CASH said, “This meeting was an attempt to facilitate an open discussion and information sharing on this crucial issue which has always been swept under the carpet. In view of prolonged law scenario in the country, the meeting’s general consensus was to aware working women about their rights and prepare them to act in a proactive manner at their workplace.”
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By Skimmy Gupta
India Centre for Human Rights and Law (ICHRL) organized a public meeting on sexual harassment - How to make work places safer for women on August 22nd, 2003) at YMCA, Colaba. Members on the panel included Advocate Mihir Desai, Students of Sophia College and Renuka Mukadam, Assistant Co-ordinator, Campaign Against Sexual Harassment (CASH).Dr.Asha Bajpai, chairman, Gender Cell, TISS released bimonthly magazine " Combat law“ - a women’s special issue on several bills and forms of violence against women at the event attended by concerned citizens, working women, legal professionals and social activists.
Pratibha Pandya, a victim of sexual harassment herself released a research study conducted by ICHRL in co-ordination with Sociology Department of the Sophia College on perceptions and experiences of the workingwomen at their work place. The study based on a sample database revealed 53%: women had either witnessed or knew about sexual harassment of their aquaintances; 61% could identify physical misbehavior as sexual harassment. 25% of women respondents admitted sexual harassment occurs frequently, while 43% said it was still prevalent at their present workplace.
Danielle and Jwala, students of Sophia College presented case studies about sexual harassment of women at work places and its social norms which were quite shocking and struck an emotional chord with the women audience.
Case Study: Danielle spoke about her case study wherein she interviewed a lady (who was a secretary in a company). The lady's superior was friendly with her and started greeting her " Hi baby” “ Hi sweet heart “ and later asked for a sexual favor. When she refused; he brushed it as a joke. But one day; he called her to the storehouse and raped her. Deciding to punish her superior; she reported to her boss but no action was taken. When she spoke to her family, they blamed her. Even her co-workers did not trust her. She no courage to complain the police, as her own people did not believe her.
Jwala narrated a similar story wherein she said,“A 24 year old victim of sex harassment till date sits at home waiting to get married and has vowed not to work again. The fear of the incident has embedded deep in her mind.”
Research study
The study covered sample of 76 women (respondents): 51% of respondents belonged to the Private sector, 25% to the Government sector and 17% were self-employed or professionals
61% respondents: Identified physical misbehavior as sexual harassment.
25%: Sexual harassment occurs frequently, 36%: rarely occurs, 7%:does not occur.
53%: Either witnessed or knew about sexual harassment of someone else, 42%: Friend was harassed, 33% -Colleague at workplace was harassed.
46%: Shared their experience of sexual harassment at workplace, 43%: It still occurs at their present workplace
31%: Faced verbal harassment like slang remarks, talks on sexual intercourse, comments figure etc, 29%: Faced unwanted physical contacts
24%: Aware of Supreme Court guidelines,64% unaware.
Advocate Mihir Desai gave an overview of implementation on Vishaka in Maharashtra stated, “The Supreme Court of India passed a landmark judgement (called Vishaka guidelines) on the issue of sexual harassment at workplace on 13th August 1997.The court defined sexual harassment giving certain mandatory and binding guidelines to be followed by every workplace in India. Six years down the line, its actual implementation is mixed.”
Renuka Mukadam - Asst. Co-ordinator, CASH said, “This meeting was an attempt to facilitate an open discussion and information sharing on this crucial issue which has always been swept under the carpet. In view of prolonged law scenario in the country, the meeting’s general consensus was to aware working women about their rights and prepare them to act in a proactive manner at their workplace.”
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Labels: City
posted by Skimmy @ June 20, 2008
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