Sexual harassment: Political...
This comes a day after the Centre for Accountability and Systematic Change (CASC) sent a legal notice to the union minister for women and child development, Maneka Gandhi, requesting for penalty against political parties for failing to protect women as per law.
“The #Metoo movement as of now is gravitating towards the media and fashion industry. Allegations against (journalistturned politician) MJ Akbar have been made and they relate to an earlier time period. However, there are instances of sexual harassment happening in the present time as well,” the notice said.
With regard to ‘#Metoo’, the national commission for women (NCW) on Thursday said it has received multiple formal written complaints from women.
“NCW is in receipt of formal written complaints from women who have bravely come forward about instances of sexual harassment at their workplace,” NCW said in an official statement.
Congress spokesperson Pra- nav Jha said that Maneka Gandhi’s words are symptomatic of a culture of lip service by the BJP and its leaders.
She should remember that the most far reaching reform came by way of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2013 which completely altered the law on the subject of sexual harassment and assault in favour of women, he said.
Jha added that the demand today is not for new laws, but a demand to implement existing ones.
Amba Salelkar, advocate and fellow at the Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability Law and Policy in Chennai, said, “The sexual harassment at workplace act applies to a large range of organisations and hence will definitely apply to political parties as well.”
“But the way political parties are structured is quite different and has to acknowledge the fact that there is a power imbalance when it comes to political leaders and people coming into contact with them in a workplace context.
“So merely asking to form ICC’S is not enough. There is a need to work on promoting a zero tolerance for sexual harassment within political parties,” added Salelkar.
The sexual harassment at workplace act applies to a large range of organisations and hence will definitely apply to political parties as well. But the way political parties are structured is quite different and has to acknowledge the fact that there is a power imbalance when it comes to political leaders and people coming into contact with them in a workplace context. AMBA SALELKAR, advocate