An efforts made by the women?s movement led the Supreme Court to formu...
In 1997, the efforts of the women's movement in India led to the Supreme Court's formulation of guidelines to protect women against sexual harassment at the workplace. These guidelines were issued in the Vishakha v. State of Rajasthan case, which set out the legal framework for addressing and preventing sexual harassment at the workplace, until a law was later enacted in 2013 (The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act).
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An efforts made by the women?s movement led the Supreme Court to formu...
An efforts made by the women's movement led the Supreme Court of India to formulate guidelines in 1997 to protect women against sexual harassment at the workplace. These guidelines, known as the Vishaka Guidelines, were formulated in response to a public interest litigation filed by the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA). The guidelines were issued by the Supreme Court in response to a series of cases of sexual harassment at the workplace that had come to light, and they were intended to provide a framework for preventing and addressing such harassment.
The Vishaka Guidelines provide a set of principles that employers and other responsible parties must follow in order to ensure a safe and secure working environment for women. They also provide a process for resolving complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace and for taking disciplinary action against those who engage in such harassment.
The Vishaka Guidelines apply to all workplaces, including government and private sector organizations, and they have been widely adopted as the standard for addressing sexual harassment in the workplace in India.
Therefore, the correct answer is (a) sexual harassment at the workplace.
An efforts made by the women?s movement led the Supreme Court to formu...
Introduction to the Women's Movement
The women's movement has been instrumental in advocating for women's rights and protection against various forms of discrimination. One significant outcome of these efforts was the Supreme Court's intervention in 1997.
Supreme Court Guidelines on Sexual Harassment
In 1997, the Supreme Court of India formulated guidelines to address the pressing issue of sexual harassment in the workplace. This was a landmark decision that recognized the need for a safe working environment for women.
Key Aspects of the Guidelines
- Definition of Sexual Harassment: The guidelines provided a clear definition of sexual harassment, which included unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
- Employer's Responsibility: The guidelines placed the onus on employers to ensure a harassment-free workplace. They were required to establish internal complaints committees to address grievances.
- Awareness and Training: The guidelines emphasized the importance of awareness and training programs for employees to understand what constitutes sexual harassment and how to address it effectively.
- Protection of Complainants: There were provisions to protect complainants from retaliation, ensuring that they could report incidents without fear of repercussions.
Impact of the Guidelines
These guidelines have had a profound impact on workplace culture, leading to increased awareness and proactive measures against sexual harassment. They laid the groundwork for the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, which further strengthened the legal framework for protecting women's rights at work.
Conclusion
The 1997 Supreme Court guidelines were a crucial step towards safeguarding women against sexual harassment at the workplace, reflecting the broader goals of the women's movement for equality and justice.