965 cases of sexual harassment of women at workplaces reported in 2018

New Delhi: As many as 965 cases of sexual harassment of women at workplaces were reported from across the country in 2018 as per the records with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the Lok Saba was informed on Friday.

Minister of State for Women and Child Development Dr Virendra Kumar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha said that according to ‘Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace’ data provided by the NCRB, 29 cases were registered in January 2019.

Since 2014, the NCRB has been collecting data regarding sexual harassment at the workplaces under the category of insult to the modesty of women (Section 509 of IPC) at the offices.

“So far as the complaints registered with the National Commission for Women (NCW) are concerned, there is an increase in complaints registered under category ‘Sexual Harassment includes Sexual harassment at Workplace,” said the minister.

The data indicate that the number of such complaints registered during the last three years was 539, 570 and 965 in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has developed an online complaint management system titled ‘Sexual Harassment electronic–Box’ (SHe-Box) for registering complaints related to sexual harassment at the workplaces by women, including government and private employees. So far, 423 complaints have been registered at SHe-Box.

“The setting up of internal committee in each and every Government department, institution or autonomous body is mandated as per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013,” said the minister.

Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), and National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) have been requested by Union Ministry of Women and Child Development to ensure effective implementation of the Act amongst their members in private sectors.

“All State governments and UT Administrations have also been requested to advise the Secretary Industries or Commerce to organise similar workshops and awareness programmes in each and every industry, business house, private sector entity of the States or Union Territories,” he said.

[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]