Workshop on sexual harassment at workplace

The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII)–Indian Women Network (IWN)), as part of its Women Empowerment Agenda, in association with Fox Mandal & Associates, on Friday, organised a session on “Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act at Workplace” (Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH) to facilitate capacity building within industry and address issues on safety and security of women and prevention of sexual harassment at workplace.In her address, CII-IWN-Karnataka Policy and Services Convenor Kalpana Margabandhu said POSH Act aims to address the issue of gender equality.

 “With increasing number of women in India’s workforce, it is important that women and companies alike know their rights and commitments,” she added.

Speaking on the evolution of laws against sexual harassment laws in India, Fox Mandal & Associates Partner Purnima Kamble said the 1997 Supreme Court judgment in Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan case, laid the foundation for the new law.

In its findings, the Supreme Court highlighted the absence of a domestic law to formulate effective measures to check the evil of sexual harassment of working women, and found it necessary to lay down guidelines to be followed by establishments in dealing with complaints about sexual harassment.