Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
The Section 23 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 casts the responsibility on the appropriate Government to monitor the implementation of this Act and maintain data on the number of cases filed and disposed off and there is no centralized mechanism to collect such data.
However, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has started collecting data under insult to the modesty of women (section 509 of IPC) at office premises and other places related to work since 2014. A total of 57 cases were reported at office premises and 469 cases were registered at other places related to work during 2014.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development had issued advisories to all States/UTs Government on 23rd December, 2013 and 27th October, 2014 to ensure effective implementation of the Act. The Ministries/Departments in Government of India have also been advised to ensure the compliance of the Act time to time.
Further, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has taken up the matter with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for the constitution of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in accordance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 as a mandatory disclosure under the Companies Act, 2013.
Moreover, the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Confederation of Indian Society, Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCI), and National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) have been requested to ensure effective implementation of the Act amongst their members in private sector.
However, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has started collecting data under insult to the modesty of women (section 509 of IPC) at office premises and other places related to work since 2014. A total of 57 cases were reported at office premises and 469 cases were registered at other places related to work during 2014.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development had issued advisories to all States/UTs Government on 23rd December, 2013 and 27th October, 2014 to ensure effective implementation of the Act. The Ministries/Departments in Government of India have also been advised to ensure the compliance of the Act time to time.
Further, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has taken up the matter with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for the constitution of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in accordance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 as a mandatory disclosure under the Companies Act, 2013.
Moreover, the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Confederation of Indian Society, Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCI), and National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) have been requested to ensure effective implementation of the Act amongst their members in private sector.
****
Sexual Offences Against Children
As per available information, a total of 8,541 cases, 12,363 cases and 13,766 cases of rape of children (below 18 years) were registered in the country during 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively, showing a rising trend. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has started collecting data on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act since 2014. As per available data, a total of 8,904 cases were registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act during 2014.
The information on repeat offenders is not maintained separately by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB).
The Ministry of Home Affairs has a proposal to publish the list of convicted persons for crime against women in the Citizen Portal of Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS). However, this is subject to funding being restored in the CCTNS.
Sections 28, 32, 33, 35, 36 and 37 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 provide for safeguarding the interests of the child at every stage of the judicial process by incorporating child-friendly mechanisms for speedy trial of offences designated Special Courts.
The information on repeat offenders is not maintained separately by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB).
The Ministry of Home Affairs has a proposal to publish the list of convicted persons for crime against women in the Citizen Portal of Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS). However, this is subject to funding being restored in the CCTNS.
Sections 28, 32, 33, 35, 36 and 37 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 provide for safeguarding the interests of the child at every stage of the judicial process by incorporating child-friendly mechanisms for speedy trial of offences designated Special Courts.
****
Homes for Juveniles
The Government has provided Rs 848 lakhs for construction of 14 Observation Homes and Special Homes in the year 2014-15 to the States/UTs under Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS). A total of 234 lakhs was provided for the purpose in the year 2013-14. The data regarding vacant posts in such homes across the country is not maintained centrally.
To ensure the safety and well being of children living in Child Care Institutions(CCIs), the Ministry has been urging the States/UTs from time to time to register all the CCIs under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (JJ Act). The Act and Central Model Rules framed thereunder, provide for monitoring, inspection, standards of care and measures that may be taken by the State Government/UT Administration to address any reported instance of atrocity/ill treatment. In the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015, there is a provision of mandatory registration of all CCIs along with stringent penalty in case of non-compliance which includes imprisonment which may extend to one year or a fine of not less than one lakh rupees or both.
To ensure the safety and well being of children living in Child Care Institutions(CCIs), the Ministry has been urging the States/UTs from time to time to register all the CCIs under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (JJ Act). The Act and Central Model Rules framed thereunder, provide for monitoring, inspection, standards of care and measures that may be taken by the State Government/UT Administration to address any reported instance of atrocity/ill treatment. In the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015, there is a provision of mandatory registration of all CCIs along with stringent penalty in case of non-compliance which includes imprisonment which may extend to one year or a fine of not less than one lakh rupees or both.
****
Use of Information Technology in Delivery and Monitoring of Schemes for Women and Children
The Ministry of Women and Child Development proposes to use the information technology enabled services in delivering and monitoring of various schemes of the Ministry. It is proposed to have an Information and communication Technology enabled Real Time Monitoring (ICT-RTM) of Integrated child Development Services (ICDS) driven by a common Application software (CAS) in 8 States under World Bank assisted restructured System Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP) in a phased manner. The Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Scheme(RGNCS) envisages a mobile/Web based monitoring by implementing agencies on a pilot basis during the plan. The Support to Training and Employment Programme (STEP) of the Ministry envisages to conduct concurrent monitoring and random checking of physical and financial reports forwarded by the project implementing agency through a Technical Support Agency (TSA) using MIS.
Ministry of Women and Child Development has been preparing its policies and programmes in accordance with the priorities outlined in the Five Year and Annual Plans for inclusive growth and development of women and children.The Ministry has evolved policies, plans of action, legislations, programmes and schemes for advancement of women and children and has been implementing them with the support of State Governments/UT Administrations and Non-Government Organisations for achieving its mandate.In order to address various programmatic, management and institutional gaps and to meet administrative and operational challenges, Government approved Strengthening and Restructuring of ICDS Scheme to cover all the districts in a phased manner during 12th Five Year Plan.
Ministry of Women and Child Development has been preparing its policies and programmes in accordance with the priorities outlined in the Five Year and Annual Plans for inclusive growth and development of women and children.The Ministry has evolved policies, plans of action, legislations, programmes and schemes for advancement of women and children and has been implementing them with the support of State Governments/UT Administrations and Non-Government Organisations for achieving its mandate.In order to address various programmatic, management and institutional gaps and to meet administrative and operational challenges, Government approved Strengthening and Restructuring of ICDS Scheme to cover all the districts in a phased manner during 12th Five Year Plan.
****
Increase in Honorarium to Creche Workers
The Government proposes to enhance honorarium to crèche worker under Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme to Rs. 3000/- per month for one worker and Rs. 1500/- for one helper. Revised norms have been approved and will be implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2016.
At present the Rajiv Gandhi National Creche scheme provides for honorarium of Rs. 2000/- p.m. to two crèche workers throughout the country.
At present the Rajiv Gandhi National Creche scheme provides for honorarium of Rs. 2000/- p.m. to two crèche workers throughout the country.
Post a Comment