Sexual Harassment Of Women At Workplace

 Sexual Harassment Of Women At Workplace

Sexual harassment at a workplace is considered violation of women's right to equality, life and liberty. 

It creates an insecure and hostile work environment, which discourages women's participation in work, thereby adversely affecting their social and economic empowerment and the goal of inclusive growth. 

With this idea the legislature formulated the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013.

The need for such legislation was observed first time by the Supreme Court, in Vishaka v State of Rajasthan.

In the absence of any law at that time providing measures to check the evil of sexual harassment of working women, the Supreme Court, in exercise of power available under Article 32 of the Constitution, framed guidelines to be followed at all workplaces or institutions, until a legislation is enacted for the purpose. 

The Supreme Court incorporated basic principles of human rights enshrined in Constitution of India under Article 14, 15, 19(1)(g) and 21, and provisions of Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which has been ratified in 1993 by the Government of India. \

The guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court were to be treated as the law declared under Article 141 of the Constitution.