PRAGOTI

Rape can be said to be woven into the fabric of India’s nationhood. During the creation of India and Pakistan, an estimated 100,000 women and girls were abducted, raped, and often killed; but no person, official or policeman was ever punished for having indulged in committing and abetting these crimes.

 On 3 September 2012, the Lok Sabha passed the ‘Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2010’, a full fifteen years after the Supreme Court (1997 Vishaka vs. State of Rajasthan). The Vishakha judgement was revolutionary in mandating the formation of committees against sexual harassment in all workplaces and placing upon the employer the responsibility of providing an environment free of sexual harassment, hostility and intimidation for women. In the Lok Sabha, the Bill was passed without any discussion, and will now be placed before the Rajya Sabha. This Bill must be thoroughly debated, as there are a number of provisions that need revision.