Sexual Harassment of Women: A Study in Higher Educational Institutions of Jammu

The women of 21st century are advance, modern and can very well handle their personal and professional lives. In ancient times, the position and status of women was not good. Women were used to work in their houses only and were treated as service provider without any wages. However, the changing scenario has brought a large number of educated women at the workplace. Now, women are going outside their homes to earn income. In today’s world, they are not economically dependent on men. No doubt, women participation in labour market has been a great achievement but simultaneously they are vulnerable to unwanted kinds of attention because they are women in the workplace. We are admitting this fact that not all men are potential rapists, molesters and torturers of women but this is a fact that all women are potential victims of sexual harassment in all professions, social strata and levels of income. It can be easily found in a file filled Government Office and also in private organizations. It means that the curse of Sexual Harassment is present everywhere in our society. This is a very serious problem which we all need to admit and resolve too. In the modern world, women are playing dual responsibility. At home, they are likely to remain responsible for childcare and domestic labour and at workplace; they are likely to do their best possible efforts for promotions. This is possible only and only if they are provided with safer environment of work. Equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women in the world of work thus remains an important issue. It has led to many evils such as gender discrimination, physical and mental harassment and more specifically Sexual Harassment at the Workplace. Sexual Harassment apart from being a dehumanizing act is an unlawful intrusion on the right of privacy and sanctity of a female. It is serious blow to her supreme honor and offends her self-esteem and dignity. The problem of Sexual Harassment is not a personal problem, rather than it is a social issue which needs to be sought out by us jointly. No doubt, the Sexual Harassment Act was passed in 2013. The main aim of the Act is to prevent Sexual Harassment at Workplace. The main problem which is felt in the case where a woman faced sexual harassment at her workplace, it is extremely difficult for her to file a complaint against it without making the situation worse or fear of losing the job. So, it should be a necessary implication on the part of employer that he will render all necessary assistance to the victim so that the victim doesn’t hesitate in filing a complaint against the perpetrator. The next problem Sexual Harassment at Workplace arises here is the effective implementation of the provisions of the Act. It is very necessary that committees in the higher educational institution are to be constituted according to the provisions of the Act and maintains the letter and spirit of the Sexual Harassment Act, 2013.