Sensitization programme on "Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace" held
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, February 06 2025: A sensitization programme on "Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013".was held today at the auditorium of DIPR in Nityaipat Chuthek, Imphal.

The programme was organised by the Manipur State Commission for Women in association with DIPR.

The event was graced by dignitaries, including Thumlip Tiningpham Monsang, Chairperson, MSCW; Ngangom Uttam Singh, Director, IPR and MAHUD; W Phajatombi Devi, IPR, Additional Director and MSCW Member Secretary; MSCW Members, Lourembam Dayabati and T Chuongsin Koireng.

Speaking on the occasion, Thumlip Tiningpham said that the programme was organised to sensitize women on various issues related to workplace harassment and its prevention, prohibition & redressal.

"Women face various kinds of harassment at the workplace, despite occupying 50 per cent of the workforce in general.

To avoid such cases of harassment, Act and Rules are enacted to empower women by the Government", she added.

She continued that in workplace or institutions where women employees are required to discharge their duties beyond official working hours, such as the DIPR, it is very important to have the knowledge of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013."Even though the provision of women empowerment has been given, it is meaningless until and unless we apply it in our daily lives", she added.

Delivering the presidential address, Ngangom Uttam said that a conducive environment is important to bring substantive equality between male and female.

"Gender equality starts from family and we should educate our children On the importance of doing household chores irrespective of gender", he added.

Elaborating on the various provisions of the Act, Ngangom Uttam said that every employer is required to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at each workplace with 10 or more employees.

"ICC should have a minimum of 4 members, with at least half of them being women.

The ICC will also cover issues of the harassment cases faced by Transgender as well.

Similarly, District Officers are required to constitute a Local Complaints Committee (LCC) at District level", he added.

The IPR Director also shared that the State has already implemented Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) number 112 wherein, all emergency numbers like 100 for police, 101 for fire, 102 for ambulance, 181 for Women Helpline and 1098 for Child Helpline, 14567 for Senior Citizen have been integrated.

In the interaction session, Th Rajkishore Singh, Advocate, Legal Advisor of MSWC said, "Sexual harassment of women at workplace violates a woman's Fundamental Rights to equality (Article 14 and 15); dignity and a safe environment .(Article 21) under the Indian Constitution.

The Act applies to all workplaces, both public and private, formal and informal including hospitals, educational institutions and other establishments where women are employed".

Officials and staff of the Directorate and representatives of MSCW also attended the sensitization programme.

Comment