Maharashtra might be considered a safe state for women, but it has recorded the second highest number of cases related to insult to the modesty of women on office premises. The state is just behind the capital by only one case. However, activists claim that it is just the tip of the iceberg, as most cases go unreported.
As per data provided by the ministry of women and child development, Delhi recorded 11 cases under the category while Maharashtra recorded 10 cases in 2015. A total of 57 cases were reported on office premises and 469 cases were registered at other places related to work during 2015.
However, activists and lawyers working for women rights have different opinions to share. According to them, these figures don’t represent the real number, as most cases go unreported. That is because of lack of improper implementations of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act enacted in 2013.
“Though, the government bought into force the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, it hasn’t been implemented properly in the state. Till now, in 90 per cent of the cases, there is no committee to look into the matter of sexual harassment at work places. Even if there are committees, they either lack an adequate number of qualified people or are non-functional,” said Ujwala Kadrekar, senior programme officer and an advocate from Women’s Rights Initiative.
She also highlighted that even after three years of implementation of the Act, there has been no centralised system for collaboration and the government has not been properly maintaining data records. “We have asked for data from the state department but haven’t received it yet. Even the crime record bureau is not maintaining data,” she added.
However, the state ministry of women and child development has refuted these allegations and stated that it would take all the required steps for proper implementation of the Act.
“We have also engaged with corporate firms for the formation of internal complaint committees at their offices to handle sexual abuse cases at workplaces. We are regularly monitoring such committees to collect data,” said Sanjay Kumar, principal secretary of the department.
Other than that, fear and social stigma is also considered as one of the reasons for lack of reporting of such cases.
“Many women get scared to report such cases because of the fear of losing their job or self-esteem,” said Pooja Thakur from Maharashtra Federation of Women.
“We have seen many cases where women come forward to fight such cases but they are told that they would lose their jobs. In fact, often the behaviour of her colleagues changes towards her after lodging a complaint,” she added.
“So, there is a need to spread more awareness about such crimes, and formation of committees in each offices would certainly provide a platform for women to raise their voices,” she said.
