The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) students, Patiala, became a testament to Fawcett’s words when they chose to stand together against their Vice-Chancellor (VC) this week. In the scorching heat, 400 students sat in a protest demanding resignation from the University VC citing his sexist remarks and orthodox approach toward students.
Indian society has been patriarchal from its very inception giving rise to gender inequality as its root product. Among all other forms of gender inequalities, the instance of sexual harassment is the ugliest as they don’t just show the social backwardness and frivolous thinking but also affect sufferers’ physical and mental health; destroy their confidence hampering their psyche and reputation along with leaving a forever horrible mark.
With the advancement in the world, India has seen a change in its working culture. Today, men are not the only breadwinners. Women also walk shoulder-to-shoulder with men when we talk about their earning capacity in a family. However, statistics reveal that a lot of women remain subject to sexual harassment which hinders their professional, social and economic growth.
Globally the last decade has seen positive steps been taken towards gender equality and prevention of gender violence at the workplaces, which peaked with the #MeToo movement. India saw the enactment of the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 [popularly known as the POSH Act] to provide safer workspaces for women. In today’s uncertain times, dialogues around gender equality especially safer work spaces, have been become more pertinent. The earlier goals of safer work spaces, equal access to opportunities in education, health care, occupations, equal pay etc. have been supplemented with new challenges.