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WHAT CONSTITUTES SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE AT THE WORKPLACE?..........

On 13th August 1997, the Supreme Court of India held that sexual harassment of women is a violation of the fundamental right of women to work in a “Safe environment”. The Supreme Court guidelines define sexual harassment to include:

• Physical contact and advances.
• Demand or request for sexual favors
• Sexually colored remarks
• Display of pornography
• Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or nonverbal conduct of a sexual nature
• Violent conduct or treatment or unlawful use of force.

Harassment can take the appearance of banter i.e. teasing, mockery, joking, repartee (wordplay), wit, chitchat, etc. or even take on the shape of unwelcome physical contact. At times, a boss may bring into play sexually tinged language with a colleague; order for a meeting after office hours for a relaxed and peaceful dinner for two, or threaten carrier options by means of sexual harassment. Basically it is any unwelcome word or actions of sexual temperament. For example:

• Rebuff of payment or official endorsement in the absence of sexual favors.
• Pornographic pictures/ messages displayed on desks, boards or sent by email
• Comment made about personal appearance and dress
• Colored jokes shared in the office that make others feel uncomfortable.

Often such behavior goes unpunished mostly because of hesitation on the part of women to report such behavior out of a sense of shame or fear or both. It is important for women to protest against any behavior that they feel is unwanted and unacceptable. The Women's Development and Grievance Cell at Institute of Science has been set up with the aim of providing women a platform to complain about any unwelcome behavior.

* The complaints should be lodged in writing with any of the in-house committee members. Complete confidentiality of the matter will be maintained.