(a) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to tackle cyber harassment meted out to Women; and
(b) the steps undertaken by the Government to prevent harassment of women especially in office/workplace in the light of the Vishaka guideline?
(a) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to tackle cyber harassment meted out to Women; and
(b) the steps undertaken by the Government to prevent harassment of women especially in office/workplace in the light of the Vishaka guideline?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)
(a): Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI has developed a cybercrime reporting portal which is an online mechanism for lodging cybercrime complaints. It is an initiative of the Government of India under National Mission for the Safety of Women by utilising Nirbhaya funds. The portal, at present, caters exclusively the complaints pertaining to child pornography (CP) and Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) or sexually explicit content such as rape/gang rape (CP/RGR). Ministry of Women and Child Development, GOI has also expanded the Public Grievance Cell and created a Cyber Crime Sub-Cell for dealing with the matters of cyber crime complaints.
(b): The existing law to deal with sexual harassment at work place is the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 which aims to provide safe and secure work environment to women. The Act covers all women, irrespective of their age or employment status and provides protection against sexual harassment at all workplaces; both in public and private sector, whether organised or unorganised. Domestic workers are also covered under the ambit of the Act. In addition, existing provisions of Indian Penal Code (IPC) are also applicable to various offences of sexual harassment.
********