PSHWW Committee
HBT Medical College & Dr. R. N. Cooper Hospital
Prevention of Harassment of Women at Work Place Committee
| NAME | DESIGNATION | EMAIL ID |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Mehera Bhoir (Chairperson) | Prof. & Head Anatomy | [email protected] |
| Dr. Reena Wani (Member) | Professor & Head Obstetrics & Gynaecology | [email protected] |
| Dr. Deoraj Sinha (Member) | Associate Prof. & Head, Psychiatry | [email protected] |
| Dr. Kiran Bhave (Member) | Professor of Pharmacology | [email protected] |
| Dr. Bhakti Kharate (Member) | Additional Professor, Physiology | [email protected] |
| Dr. Harprit Kaur Madan (Member) | Associate Prof., Anaesthesia | [email protected] |
| Dr. Smita Deokar (Member) | Associate Prof., Biochemistry | [email protected] |
| Mrs. Nivedita Bhobekar (Member) | Sister Tutor | [email protected] |
| Mr. Viraj Naik (Member) | Head Clerk, PG Section | [email protected] |
| Mr.Sunil Holkar (Member) | Divisional Security Officer | [email protected] |
| SPGRC (Member) | NGO Member | [email protected] |
Laws and Procedures: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Vishaka Guidelines against Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Guidelines and norms laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Vishaka and Others Vs. State of Rajasthan and Others (JT 1997 (7) SC 384)
HAVING REGARD to the definition of Human Rights under Section 2(d) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, and taking note that the present civil and penal laws in India do not adequately provide specific protection to women from sexual harassment at workplaces, the following guidelines are to be observed.
- Duty of the Employer
Employers shall prevent sexual harassment and provide procedures for the resolution, settlement and prosecution of complaints.
- Definition
Sexual harassment includes:
- Physical contact and advances.
- Demand or request for sexual favours.
- Sexually coloured remarks.
- Showing pornography.
- Any unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.
Such conduct may create a hostile work environment or adversely affect recruitment, promotion or employment.
- Preventive Steps
- Prohibit sexual harassment at the workplace.
- Government bodies should include penalties in service rules.
- Private employers should amend Standing Orders accordingly.
- Provide safe working conditions for women.
- Criminal Proceedings
Where such conduct amounts to a specific offense under the Indian Penal Code or under any other law, the employer shall initiate appropriate action in accordance with law by making a complaint with the appropriate authority. In particular, it should ensure that victims or witnesses are not victimized or discriminated against while dealing with complaints of sexual harassment. The victims of sexual harassment should have the option to seek transfer of the perpetrator or their own transfer.
- Disciplinary Action
Where such conduct amounts to misconduct in employment as defined by the relevant service rules, appropriate disciplinary action should be initiated by the employer in accordance with those rules.
- Complaint Mechanism
Whether or not such conduct constitutes an offense under law or a breach of the service rules, an appropriate complaint mechanism should be created in the employer‟s organization for redress of the complaint made by the victim. Such a complaint mechanism should ensure time-bound treatment of complaints.
- Complaints Committee
The complaint mechanism, referred to in (6) above, should be adequate to provide, where necessary, a Complaints Committee, a special counselor or other support services, including the maintenance of confidentiality. The Complaints Committee should be headed by a woman and not less than half of its member should be women. Further, to prevent the possibility of any undue pressure or influence from senior levels, such Complaints Committee should involve a third party, either NGO or other bodies who is familiar with the issue of sexual harassment. The Complaints Committee must make an annual report to the Government the department concerned of the complaints and action were taken by them.
