Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace: A Review

The sexual harassment of working women is a burning issue, as more and more women are taking up employment in the public and private sectors. It is often thought that 'working' women are more empowered and such women would stand up against sexual harassment. But, unfortunately the majority of such incidents go unreported. The need for protection of women more and more are felt as incidents of sexual harassment are increasing at a fast pace. Despite various laws on the subject, the cases of sexual harassment are increasing at a shocking rate. It may feel or appear as if teasing, intimidating or offensive comments supported stereotypes or bullying someone based on gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Sexual harassment at work place is an expression of deep planted patriarchy currently within the larger society stirring the power based discriminatory practices and successively creating hostile work environments for women. It is a gender specific offence, women are the victim of this offence. The objective of this paper is to furnish an introduction to the varied aspects of sexual harassment as a social problem: it's meaning, definition, review of its provisions in IPC, BNS and Sexual Harassment of Women (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Sexual harassment can be verbal, non-verbal, by visual means or physical, sexual harassment at workplace, hostile work environment for women and ways to cope with such problems. The expected outcome of this paper is the need for development of stringent laws and awareness on the subject.