30 Years of Globalization and Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013

The New Economic Policy, 1991 was introduced in India when PV Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister and Dr. Manmohan Singh was the Finance Minister. It brought into effect the concepts of liberalization, privatization and globalization (LPG). This year 2021 marks 30 years of globalization. Globalization has improved the lives of everyone in various ways. It has led to better employment and educational opportunities, better trade relations, growth in finance, development in the fields of transport, communication and information technology and so on. Globalization has increased the number of working women. This can serve as a tool to attain the goal of gender equality. At the same time, with rise in number of working women, the evil of sexual harassment at workplaces is also persisting. This paper seeks to conduct a critical analysis of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 in light of 30 years of globalization. Firstly, it attempts to dig into the historical background and objective behind the implementation of the aforesaid statute. Secondly, it explores the impact of globalization on women. Thirdly, it discusses the brutal consequences of sexual harassment of women at workplaces. This brings to light the seriousness or gravity of the situation and the necessity for improvisation in the law on sexual harassment. Fourthly, it outlines the salient features of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, 2013 and conducts a critical analysis of the same. Lastly, the paper concludes with recommendations on how the loopholes in the aforementioned legislation can be addressed and rectified.