In a first, BMC orders audit of its prevention of sexual harassment steps

TISS will audit the efficacy of these committees, their role in prevention and redressal and how well-equipped they are to deal with sensitive cases. Tools for the audit are being developed.

“At present, we have 73 such complaints’ committees across wards at various workplaces of the BMC, which includes administrative offices, hospitals and schools. They are provided extensive capacity building inputs to function effectively for their role of prevention and redressal of sexual harassment, as we have a zero-tolerance policy. We want to know whether women employees are aware of the existence of these committees, how effective they are, if something is missing and whether there is any scope for improvement,” said Dr Kamaxi Bhate, member-secretary of the sexual harassment committee and gender resource centre.

Each committee, where at least half the members must be women, is headed by a woman and has a third party representative from an NGO. Everyone guilty of sexual harassment is subjected to minor or major penalties, which may range from a written apology to termination.

“The number of complaints have gone up since 2004 as there is more awareness among women today. They know they can register complaints against such issues and steps will be taken,” she said.
mihika.basu@expressindia.com