Workshop on anti-sexual harassment laws

There is no chance of the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved. It is not possible for a bird to fly on one wing.

-Swami Vivekanand.

Taking this thought forward, an in-depth session was held on the theme Anti Sexual Harassment Measures- A Legal Dimension, on Friday 12 October 2018 at the office of Prabhakar and Associates, PAV Law Offices in Hauz Khaz Enclave at 4 pm.

School counsellor, Ms. Jigyasa Khokhar attended the session which was also attended by representatives of schools and other law firms of Delhi.

The session began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp followed by an overview of the topic for that day by Ms. Kiron Prabhakar, Founder Partner, PAV Law Offices. She shared that India was the first and the only country where laws relating to the issues of sexual harassment of women at workplaces had been formulated. The act is named Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act). She informed everyone of the journey of the law which started from the Vishaka Guidelines to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013.

The Vishakha Guidelines were a set of procedural guidelines for use in India in cases of sexual harassment. They were promulgated by the Supreme Court of India in 1997 and were superseded in 2013 by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013.

This first session was followed by another on the interpretation of the various provisions of the POSH Act and the judicial precedents established by the Indian courts. This session was conducted by Mr. Sandeep Prabhakar, Senior Litigation Counsel- Delhi High Court and Supreme Court and Founder, Prabhakar and Associates. He shared that the key feature of the Sexual Harassment of Women (Prevention Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 was the introduction of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at every workplace. The function if such a committee is to oversee the implementation of the Anti Sexual Harassment Policy, complaints on sexual harassment at the workplace and to recommend disciplinary actions, if any, to the employer.

It was an informative session and gave valuable insights into the POSH Act. The speakers ended the session by answering queries posed by the audience. The session was very informative and appreciated by all present.

Ms. Jigyasa Khokhar.