WPC calls for implementation of Sexual Harassment Bill, 2006

Kolkata, Nov 03 (UNI) Men with roving eyes beware or face the music as the women have literally called for an immediate passage and implementation of the Bill on Sexual Harassment at workplace.

Women Power Connect, a national level organisation of women established in 2005, was aimed at formalising the process of legislative coordination to create and implement gender-friendly working environment.

WPC president Ranjana Kumari at a press conference here today said sexual harassment is the most common form to outrage a person's dignity, yet it is the least exposed.

According to the National Crime Record Bureau, about 1,27,000 cases of sexual harassment is being reported every year, Ms Kumari said.

She later stressed about 33 per cent reservation for the women at the corporate sectors so as to empower the women so that they can work under safe working environment.

Hetal Parekh, the girl raped and murdered by her watchman, got justice posthumously nearly after a decade with the death sentence to her culprit. Priyadarshini Matoo also faced the same fate and the girl from the BPO industry was raped and murdered by her cab driver, her family members are still waiting justice, Mrs Kumari pointed out.

She stressed on immediate delivery of justice and compensation to the harassed women.

The Apex Court had given mandatory guidelines known as Vishaka Guidelines for resolution and prevention of sexula harassment.

The Sexual Harassment of women at workplace Bill 2006 said a workplace can be the government office, local authority, enterprise, branch or domestic workers at houses and the person can be any one from a domestic worker to goverment officials.

The complaints by the harassed women would be heard by the committee which would have a chairperson preferably a woman, the Act says.

The Ministry of Women and Child development has send the final draft of the Bill to the Law ministry along with its recommendation for final drafting.

She also called for sensitising the society on checking the gender bias and imbalance in the sex-ratio therby puting a stop to the practice of female foeticide in the country.

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