Chandigarh: Haryana Speaker Harvinder Kalyan said on Tuesday that ensuring the dignity and safety of women at the workplace is not only a matter of social and moral responsibility, but also a legal obligation. He emphasised that the Vidhan Sabha, being the highest institution for lawmaking at the state level, requires all its employees, directly or indirectly associated with the legislative process, to have a thorough understanding of workplace-related laws. Kalyan was chairing the programme organised to sensitise employees towards measures to prevent sexual harassment of women at workplace. He said that awareness leads to better lawmaking, while training enhances efficiency. Referring to women’s safety, he said that society must reflect on the kind of environment it wishes to provide when women step out for work.Deputy speaker Dr Krishan Lal Middha highlighted the importance of women in Indian traditions through various customs and practices. He said that the happiness and prosperity of a household are closely linked to the well-being of women, and that daughters contribute equally to the prosperity of both their parental and marital homes. He said that due to campaigns like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, positive changes have been seen in society.Chairperson, Department of Laws, Panjab University, Dr Vandana Arora, elaborated on the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. She said that the legal framework for prevention of workplace sexual harassment originated from the Supreme Court’s 1997 Vishaka Guidelines, which later led to the enactment of the law by Parliament. She said that the Act applies to all sectors — public, private, organised and unorganised. MSID: 130420734 413 |
