Today i am going to write about top 3 points for Indian Working Women. Every working women should be aware with these points.You need to know about your rights.
1. Sexual Harassment at Workplace:
Now The Lok Sabha passed the Sexual Harassment of Women At Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2012 on September 3, which inter alia prohibits ‘sexually-coloured remarks’. The Rajya Sabha too is likely to pass the bill. Back in 2010, the same bill was unable to sail through Parliament.
The bill says sexual harassment includes “any one or more of the following unwelcome acts or behaviour (whether directly or by implication), namely; (i) physical contact and advances; or (ii) a demand or request for sexual favours; or (iii) making sexually coloured remarks; or (iv) showing pornography; or (v) any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.”
But you can safe yourself to keep few things in your mind:
Here are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe:
i. Be Aware: It’s the simplest thing for safety that one can pursue, rigorously and consciously. By being alert and detecting any signs of this heinous evil in your immediate surroundings, one can prevent such events from taking place. Precautions like dressing appropriately, compliment the need for awareness.
ii. Trust your gut: No definition can comprehensively include all aspects of sexual harassment and it is subjective as well. There is no bracket formula to determine whether an act, perhaps bordering on somewhat ‘friendly’, constitutes an act of sexual harassment or not. But, for you, anything that puts you in a discomfort zone, some place that you’d want to extricate yourself from is sexual harassment.
iii. Say no: The thin line of demarcation between sexual interest and sexual harassment shouldn’t be disregarded. A sexual interest can be doused by a negative reply. Also, just because the person concerned is a senior, does not mean you cannot say no. Sometimes, a stinging retort may work wonders; however, it can worsen the attention-craving situation of the perpetrator at times.
2. Night Shift for women:
Before the amendment in the Factories Act, under s.66 women were not allowed to work night shifts. However after the amendment was approved, women are permitted to work between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in sectors including the Special Economic Zone, IT sector and Textiles subject to the condition that the employers shall be obligated to perform the duty to protect them. This is clearly given in the proviso to the section which is as following: “provided adequate safeguards in the factory as regards occupational safety and health, equal opportunity for women workers, adequate protection of their dignity, honour and safety and their transportation from the factory premises to the nearest point of their residence”.
Hence, women can now work night shifts in these sectors. If you work the night shift, here are some things you have the right to expect, along with some tips for you:
i. You can demand that your employer have any or all of the following: female wardens, proper lighting, secure transport facility, security at entry and exit points etc.
ii. Be extra careful to prevent any mishap by staying alert.
iii. Always ensure you have company while going to and from work.
iv. Keep the contacts of family, friends or relatives who can quickly be contacted in case of emergency.
If possible taking self defense classes.
3. Gender Equity:
Promoting gender equity is at the heart of PMC’s work. How well a society treats its women is one of the strongest indicators of the success and health of a society. By providing girls with an education, allowing women to have a voice in family decisions, and providing women with opportunities for economic freedom, we will build stronger future generations.
Discrimination against women and girls occurs in many forms through gender-based violence, economic discrimination, reproductive health inequities and harmful traditional practices.
