Sikkim: Seminar on sexual harrasment of women at work place held at Samaj Kalyan Bhawan

Gangtok: On September 24  Seminar on sexual harrasment of women at work place was held at  Samaj kalyan Bhawan , Lumsey Gangtok  in the presence of Tshering Palden Bhutia, Deputy Mayor Gangtok Municipal Corporation along with Chukipu Lepcha Chairperson, Sikkim State women commission, Nandita Pradhan, Director of Maratha farrell foundation and other dignitaries. 

The seminar was organized by Sikkim commission for women, Government of Sikkim  to create awareness about sexual harrasment of women at work place.  The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 is a legislative act in India that seeks to protect women from sexual harassment at their place of work. 

Furthermore, The TOT workshop for the same was organised for three days. Under this ToT there are lawyers, police development workers, panchayat members who have took part and trained themselves on the laws of sexual harrasment on work place, gender based violence.  

Addressing the gathering, Nandita Pradhan said,” Before the Vishaka guidelines came to force it was women’s own responsibility for their safety and any woman had to file a complaint it was her own responsibility but  after Vishaka guidelines came to force, for the first time it came to focus that sexual harrasment on work place it’s a gender discrimination and therefore it’s a human rights violation , it’s a voilation of the fundamental rights of women also the responsibility is with the employer.”  

“Now the law has taken forward the Vishaka guidelines spirit and the responsibility is with the employer to make sure that there is dissemination of information, every one should know their rights under this law and others know what is punishable under this act. It’s the employer responsibility to create awareness by using posters, banners pamplets and using websites as well. It’s mandatory to create awareness”. 

Following, Pradhan  also mentioned that, “ This law shall promise that every women in this country is going to be safe either it may be formal or  informal work place , every one including students, volunteers has right to file a complaint in this  Act,2013.” 

According to the Indian constitution any forms of sexual harassment results in violation of the fundamental rights of a woman to equality under Article 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India and her right to life and to live with dignity under  Article 21. 

Report by Sheetal Kharka