One-day workshop on Sexual Harassment at the Workplace was organized by Partners for Law in Development and Prajnya Trust

A one-day workshop on Sexual Harassment at the Workplace was organized by Partners for Law in Development and Prajnya Trust, held at The Residency hotel, Chennai, on 17th May 2024.

Madhu Mehra, Swarna Rajagopalan, Sudaroli, and others participated. The program addressed the extent of awareness among working women about the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, and the steps that should be taken to limit such harassment. The essence of the Act was also explained. They discussed the laws on the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013, and the sections of the Indian Penal Code that prevent violence against women. They also talked about the Internal Committee (IC), its investigation methods, its powers, and the importance of having an Internal Committee in every workplace.

Many women's movements from various districts of Tamil Nadu participated in this program. Advocate Austin represented SRED.

The philosophy of hearing both sides, known as "audi alteram partem" (Latin), was discussed. It was also discussed that anonymous complaints cannot be entertained. Additionally, the meeting explained that various actions such as wrongdoing, pinching, knocking, taking photos without permission, making demands, calling you harassing names, telling obscene jokes, contacting you on the phone, saying bad things about you, singing indecent songs to you, and many other types of harassment will be considered as sexual harassment in the workplace.

It was emphasized that every women's movement should raise awareness about this law to each and every woman worker. After the program, everyone took a photo, and the meeting came to an end.