Sexual harassment cases have increased: Maneka Gandhi

The number of complaints about sexual harassment at work places has increased in the country, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said Friday.

The number of sexual harassment complaints was 170 in 2011, 167 in 2012, 249 in 2013 and 336 in 2014, Maneka Gandhi said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

She said: "The number of complaints of sexual harassment of women at work place registered with the National Commission for Women during the last two years and current year shows an increasing trend."

The safety of women in the country is of the utmost priority for the government, the minister said.

She said the ministry has enacted the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 which covers every woman, irrespective of age or employment status and protects them against harassment at work place both in the public and private sector, whether organised or unorganised.