Capacity building programme for PLV held
Source: The Sangai Express

Tamenglong, January 19 2022: District Legal Services Authority, Tamenglong in collaboration with Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) and under the aegis of NALSA on Wednesday organised an online capacity building programme for PLVs of Tamenglong and Noney District on the topic "Sexual harassment of women at workplace" .

Aribam Guneshwar Sharma, MJS, District & Sessions Judge, Imphal West cum Chairman, DLSA Tamenglong delivered the welcome and keynote address, said a release issued by DLSA Tamenglong.

He stated that the "Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013" was connected to provide protection against sexual harassment of women at work place and for prevention & redressal of complaints of sexual harassment.

Earlier, there was no separate legislation in India for protection of women from sexual harassment.

Those women experiencing sexual harassment at work place used to lodge complaint under S 354, S 509 and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, he added.

Nongthombam Meena, Asst Professor, Royal Academy of Law, Oinam stated that as per the Act, aggrieved women means a woman of any age whether employed or not, who alleges to have been subjected to any act of sexual harassment by the respondent in relation to a workplace; and a woman of any age who is employed in such a dwelling place or house in relation to a dwelling place or house.

She continued that as per the Act "sexual harassment" includes any one or more of the following unwelcome acts or behaviour (whether directly or by implication) namely Physical contact and advances; or demand or request for sexual favours; or making sexually coloured remarks; or showing pornography; or any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.

Highlighting the role of PLVs in sensitizing women of their locality, she mentioned that sensitization programmes for women working in the unorganized sector are to be conducted frequently.

Nongthombam Meena further urged all legal aid clinic to work towards the elimination of discrimination against women at workplace by sensitizing public at large and circulating pamphlets.

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