Online course against sexual harassment at workplace

New Delhi, July 21: As part of its continous efforts towards generating awareness and combating sexual harassment at workplace, the Centre for Social Research has launched India's first online course against sexual harassment at workplace.

It is a free course and features lectures by Dr Ranjana Kumari, Director, CSR along with written course material explaining the sexual harassment law. It can be accessed by anyone having an internet connection either in PC or mobile phone.

"The idea is to provide one an understanding of the fundamentals of the Sexual Harassment Act in a simple, concise and comprehensive manner. It also explains the mechanisms and procedures instituted by the Act to enable a safe working environment for women and the various remedies available, including civil and criminal remedies, under the Act.

"To have effective, healthy and productive working environments, every institution or organization, where more than ten people work together, should be responsible for ensuring the compliance of the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act.

What happened in Tehelka recently was a big reminder that even reputed organizations do not comply with the Act, and these crimes go unreported for a long time," said Kumari.

"Sexual harassment is the single most under-reported crime in most societies. Sexual harassment at workplace typically ranges from mildly distasteful sexist comments and jokes, pornographic pin-up posters, provocative electronic mail and X-rated computer software all the way to outright assault and rape in extreme cases", she said.

PTI