Women's security hardly a priority for organisations: Survey

Just about three per cent of organisations in South Mumbai appear to care for women's security at the workplace, says a survey conducted recently.
Conducted at Mumbai's business district of Nariman Point and the upcoming business district at Lower Parel, the survey showed that even organisations which are aware of the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition Redressal) Act, 2013 do not know how to comply with it.
The survey was done by Complykaro, a group formed to assist companies and organisations to implement and execute provisions of the law.
Participating in a meet, as part of the 'Knowledge Series' hosted by the Mumbai Press Club on the occasion of International Women's Day on March 8, Complykaro Services Pvt Ltd Founder Director Vishal Kedia said, "We are shocked at the apparent apathy towards the security of women at several big and small organisations due to ignorance of the law".

Sexual harassment cases occurring in organisations which do not comply could have disastrous effects for them since they could face permanent closure of business besides penalty and imprisonment, he said, giving details of the survey.
Kedia said that if a sexual harassment case takes place on board a private taxi, bus, train or an aircraft, the establishment is supposed to help the victim file a case. The organisation cannot simply cannot keep away from the case by saying that it did not employ the woman, he said.
The law was enacted after a Supreme Court directive in its judgement in a rape case filed by a Jaipur-based NGO called Vishakha. The apex court's directives on sexual harassment came to be known as Vishakha Guidelines, which ultimately were incorporated in the Act.

It has now become mandatory for all organisations to comply with the law, irrespective of the number of employees and whether it has women employees or not.