Sexual harassment at work place – ‘Me too Movement’: Constitution of GoM to strengthen legal and institutional framework to deal
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 88
ANSWERED ON: 11.12.2018
Sexual Harassment at Workplace
ASADUDDIN OWAISI
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether in view of complaints by women as part of ‘Me too movement’, the Government has constituted a group of Ministers (GoM) to strengthen legal and institutional framework to deal with and prevent sexual harassment at work place;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the composition of the GoM;
(c) the details of the existing laws to deal with Sexual Harassment at work place; and
(d) the time by which the GoM is likely to submit its report and a legal framework is likely to be framed in this regard?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)
(a) & (b): The Government has constituted the following Group of Ministers (GoM) to examine and give recommendations for strengthening the legal and institutional frameworks to deal with and prevent Sexual Harassment at Workplace:
(i) Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Home Minister.
(ii) Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and Ministry of Shipping.
(iii) Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Defence.
(iv) Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Women and Child Development.
(c): The existing law to deal with sexual harassment at work place is the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 which aims to provide safe and secure work environment to women. The Act covers all women, irrespective of their age or employment status and provides protection against sexual harassment at all workplaces; both in public and private sector, whether organized or unorganized. Domestic workers are also covered under the ambit of the Act. In addition existing provisions of Indian Penal Code (IPC) are also applicable to various offences of sexual harassment.
(d): No time frame has been prescribed for the GoM to submit its report.
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