Anti- Sexual Harassment Committee

Background

On 13th August 1997, the Supreme Court of India delivered the historic Vishaka judgment, declaring sexual harassment at the workplace a violation of human rights. The Court asserted that every woman has the right to work in a safe and secure environment and issued guidelines mandating all employers to establish mechanisms to address sexual harassment and ensure preventive measures are in place.

These guidelines laid the foundation for legislative action, leading to the enactment of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, which came into force on 9th December 2013. This Act replaced the Supreme Court guidelines and provided a detailed legal framework for preventing and addressing sexual harassment at workplaces. The Government of India also notified relevant rules for implementing the provisions of the Act effectively.

Objectives

• To eliminate gender-based discrimination and power dynamics that hinder intellectual, academic, or professional growth.
• To prevent biased attitudes in assessing work performance within official duties and responsibilities.
• To uphold and protect the fundamental rights, dignity, and equality of women in the workplace.

Roles & Responsibilities

• To empower women to exercise their rights to freedom and equality without fear or hesitation.
• To treat incidents of sexual harassment as misconduct, subject to disciplinary action.
• To provide support and assistance to women who wish to report harassment.
• To ensure the safety and protection of those who experience or report such misconduct.
• To raise awareness and conduct training programs for students and employees on recognizing and preventing sexual harassment.

Committee Composition: