NCW submits recommendations to avoid sexual harassment at work

New Delhi: The National Commission for Women has submitted a set of recommendations to the Centre to avoid and address cases of sexual harassment at the work place.

NCW has asked the government to ensure constitution of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines in its departments, institutions and autonomous bodies to address such cases. It has also recommended conducting sensitisation workshops for top level management officials. In its letter to the Secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on October 8, NCW recommended that ICC should be publicised through posters and banners which should have contact details of its members. These posters should be put at prominent places for spreading awareness on the issue of sexual harassment, the NCW said in its letter. The Commission recommended that government should ensure that women do not suffer any negative consequences if they register a complaint of sexual harassment. It also recommended awareness workshops on prevention of sexual harassment at workplace be held to ensure proper orientation of employees on prohibition and prevention of sexual harassment. The government should assure its staff that all complaints will be addressed irrespective of the stature or seniority of the perpetrator, NCW said. The Commission also emphasised on media and communication strategies to be made to combat violence against women. It asked the government to bring into force the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 which received assent of the President on April 22 but is yet to come into force. NCW said it had asked the I&B Ministry to take strict action to curb obscene portrayal of women in media. The Ministry had formed a high-level committee under the chairmanship of a retired Chief Justice High Court to review the Cinematography Act, 1952. The Commission had also informed the Ministry of its findings of inquiry conducted into allegations of sexual harassment against a top Prasar Bharti official in the letter.