Sexual harassment at work goes unchecked
After a series of molestation cases faced by airhostesses, models and sportswomen coming to the fore, the recent case where a senior law officer with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) allegedly reported that she was molested over a period of three months has shocked many. The lady was allegedly harassed with vulgar messages and “lewd” gestures by her superior and general manager, N.P Singh. This once again highlights the growing number of sexual harassment cases at the workplace. We spoke to youngsters in the city about what they go through daily, quietly bearing the indignity.
Delhi-based Aditi (name changed), a media professional, recalls her traumatic tenure while working with an advertising company. “The head of the company was a married man with a child. He would regularly summon me to his cabin and would insist that I go for coffee with him and if that was not enough, he would ask me about my boyfriends and sex life. It was not just humiliating but also embarrassing. Since he was my boss, I was forced to be polite but I was stern. I used to always steer the conversation away to a more non-controversial topic. Though I did complain to my colleague, she asked me to ignore him. As my internship was a college project, I had to finish it. At times, he also invited me for late night dinners. But I must confess that it was a learning experience, and it taught me how to be tactful.”
However, many working girls confess that they have been a victim of lewd comments, obscene mails and SMSes and lusty stares in office and they feel even if they complain, it won’t be addressed. Says Mani Aggarwal (name changed), who works in a BPO, “Girls are often viewed as sexual objects and considered weak. A timid girl is more at risk than an outspoken one. Similarly, if a girl wears skimpy clothes at the workplace, men think she is ‘available’. But, if you show control and carry yourself in a dignified manner you could escape harassment.”
Seconds Ruchika Rai, a journalism student, “I agree women are vulnerable to more harassment if you see just the numbers and that’s because there are more male bosses than women. Seeing what is happening around one often feels disgusted and helpless, but either we can ignore it and live with it or face it with fortitude.”
Interestingly, many feel that it is not just women who are being exploited, men too can face such a situation. But one must not take it quietly and stand up and expose the guilty person.
Sumeet Verma, a High Court lawyer, says, “There have been guidelines given by the Supreme Court under ‘Vishaka Vs State of Rajasthan and Apparel Exposure’, where the SC has widened the scope for women to fight against sexual harassment at work. Also, the court has made strict orders for all government offices and public sectors to have at least an officer to report such cases. And for private firms, cases can be reported under the Delhi Commission of Women. Once reported, the accused can lose his job and can be sentenced for two years.”
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