The sexual assault of a female journalist by Tehelka magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal in Goa has made the Jharkhand State Commission for Women (JSCW) to think on setting up Anti-Sexual Harassment Cell in all the Government and private departments across the state for working women. A letter regarding this request was sent to Chief Secretary RS Sharma on Thursday by JSCW chairperson Mahua Maji.
Speaking on the relevance of this cell, Maji threw light on the Guidelines and norms laid down by the Supreme Court in Vishaka versus State of Rajasthan and Others (JT 1997 (7) SC 384) judgement which mentions the formation of Anti Sexual Harassment Cell at every government and private sector.
The Vishaka guidelines includes physical contact cum advances, a demand or request for sexual favours, sexually coloured remarks, showing pornography or any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non verbal conduct of sexual nature by a male employee.
“We are seriously concerned for the safety of working women. It often happens that women are unable to raise voice against harassment issues due to the fear of losing their job. Such committees would help them in sharing their problems without any hesitation wherein prompt action would be taken on the male employees harassing a woman,” said Maji.
For the implementation of this proposal, JSCW has decided to remind the state government after 10 to 15 days. She said, “We will soon write a letter to each department on whether they have an anti sexual harassment cell or not. In case they have, we would like to know about its working status.”
Notably, few of the departments already have this cell but the JSCW has no data about the details of such organizations. Maji said, “Urban and rural women are usually unaware about Vishaka guidelines ensuring their safety. Members of this anti-sexual harassment cell will make aware women about the same.”
Maji is a member of such a committee functioning in State Bank of India branches.
“Members of this committee are trained by legal experts on how to file harassment cases and work on justice for the sake of working women’s dignity. The members in return aware their female colleagues,” said Maji.