Stress on women's dignity at workplaces: ASSOCHAM

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SME Times News Bureau | 25 Apr, 2014
Need for a positive environment to respect dignity of women employees and prevent their sexual harassment at workplaces was stressed at a day-long seminar in Bangalore on Thursday.

"Sexual harassment not only hurts self-esteem of a victim, but also amounts to violating fundamental rights of an individual," said Amita Prasad, principal secretary of Karnataka's department of women and child development, at the seminar, organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

Calling for end to gender stereotyping, Prasad said that equality of all citizens was enshrined in the constitution and the new law was a reiteration of the same.

"There is an urgent need to sensitise every employee joining an organisation to treat women with respect and ensure their dignity by creating the right kind of environment at all workplaces," she said.

In this context, Prasad said the state government was holding training programmes and workshops at all levels as part of its resolve to provide a secure and safe workplace to all women employees.

Delivering the theme address, Assocham managing committee member T. Valliappa dwelt upon the various sections of the new law against sexual harassment at workplaces.

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 was enacted following a nationwide outrage over the rape and death of a physiotherapy student in a moving bus in Delhi Dec 16, 2013.

Valliappa also highlighted concerns of employers with regard to implementation of the new Act.

Expressing concern at low participation of women in workforce, ASSOCHAM southern regional council co-chairman J. Crasta said India lagged behind many countries in terms of involving women in socio-economic activities.