Break silence to stop workplace harassments: Activist

Noted social activist Bhanwari Devi today urged women to break their silence against exploitation at workplaces and report atrocities against them at the earliest to get timely justice.
Bhanwari Devi, a gang rape victim in her home state Rajasthan in 1992 for trying to prevent a child marriage, was instrumental in formulating the historic Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act 2013.
"I got justice in the people's court, but not from the government. Crimes against women are increasing," she said while attending a women empowerment workshop organised by Kerala State Women's Development Corporation here.
She also asked the government to ensure safety of women in work places.

"If women are not courageous enough or break their silence against exploitation, they are not going to get justice. I broke my silence though I am an uneducated village woman."
Devi said she was gangraped and her husband severely beaten up for raising their voices against child marriage in their village.

"I only tried to prevent the marriage of a nine-month-old girl child as I thought it was my duty as an honorary government worker," she said.
She charged police with not carrying out a fair probe and the judiciary for not delivering deserved justice to her.
Kavitha Srivasthava, lawyer and activist, said if the Sexual Harassment at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 was implemented sincerely, inequality in workplaces would be shattered and male bastions would be broken.

She also claimed that women work force in the country was coming down drastically as employers were showing reluctance to appoint female staff.
Earlier Chief Minister Oommen Chandy inaugurated the workshop, held as part of the International Women's Day celebrations.
Social Justice minister M K Muneer, poet Sugathakumari, former health minister P K Sreemathi were among those present.