AICTE against Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace; Issues notice for institutions

The official notice released by AICTE refers to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 giving legal right to female employees, both regular and contractual to voice against any type of sexual harassment at the workplace, the Council.

In order to make the working environment safe for women female employees at the workplace, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has issued official notice directing technical universities and approved institutions to take certain actions.

The official notice released by AICTE refers to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 giving legal right to female employees, both regular and contractual to voice against any type of sexual harassment at the workplace, the Council.

The notice reads, “All employers are expected to honour the Act and maintain a safe working environment for female employees, while discharging their duties, so that, they may carry out their duty with dignity.”

Important Steps to be taken against Sexual Harassment at work

In order to sensitize the issue, AICTE requested the universities and institutes to take the following actions and maintain a safe working environment as per "Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013:

• An Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and a Special cell must be formed in the institutions under administrative control to deal with the issue of gender-based violence and to conduct gender sensitization programmes.
• Display banners or posters at conspicuous places in the buildings and campuses to create awareness amongst employees about what is sexual harassment and how to prevent it.
• Make employees aware of the Internal Complaints Committee (lCC) by displaying names and contact details of the members at Notice Boards in the Institutions.
• To upload the Act, Constitution of the Committee; and details of the Members of the lCC such as name, phone number, address etc., on the institute's portal at a prominent place.
• Conduct training programmes to sensitize the employees of the Institutions on the issues related to maintenance of a safe working environment.

Asking the institutions to intimate the actions taken in the matter, AICTE said, “As you are aware that Government of India is committed to promote gender equality and women empowerment across every sector and prevent all forms of violence against women that negatively impact gender equality and human dignity.”

Read More: