The Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW), in collaboration with the District Administration Kakching, today organised a sensitisation programme on “The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 at the Conference Hall of Kakching Municipal Council, Kakching.
The programme was attended by Th. Tiningpham Monsang, Chairperson of MSCW; Priyadarshini Laishram, SP Kakching; W. Phajatombi, Member Secretary, MSCW and Additional Director (IPR); .SK Sophia Moyon, Member MSCW and P. Shantikumar, MCS as dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Th. Tiningpham Monsang stated that the Manipur State Commission for Women has been constituted to work for the welfare of women, to promote their empowerment, address complaints and ensure the enforcement of legal safeguards meant for their protection.
She said that the primary aim and objective of the programme was to make the Presiding Officers and members aware of their roles and responsibilities under “The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013”. She added that sensitization on the provisions of the Act was crucial for ensuring proper awareness and effective compliance. She further stated that the Act has been enacted to safeguard women at workplaces and to create an environment where they could carry out their professional duties with a sense of security and dignity.
She clarified that the Act was not directed against men but was framed specifically to ensure the safety and protection of women. She noted that the Social Welfare Department operates a dedicated women’s helpline (toll freen number) 181, which functions round the clock. She also stated that the Manipur State Commission for Women provides pre-marital counselling services. Tiningpham Monsang also mentioned the availability of the SHE-Box portal for filing complaints related to workplace sexual harassment.
SP Priyadarshini Laishram speaking at the programme underlined the necessity of The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 as a comprehensive legal mechanism for both prevention and redressal of sexual harassment at workplaces.
She observed that while a section of society is aware of the provisions and complaint procedures under the Act, many others remain uninformed or unclear about their rights and institutional responsibilities. In this regard, she lauded the Manipur State Commission for Women for its continued efforts in organising awareness programmes.
ADM P. Shantikumar Singh urged the Presiding Officers and Members of the Committees to make effective use of the sensitization programme to gain a clearer understanding of the provisions and responsibilities laid down under the said Act. He spoke on the need to advance gender equality, stating that the role of women is vital for overall social development. He further stated that the Act had been enacted to ensure the safety of women at workplaces and to enable them to perform their duties without fear or intimidation.
Member Secretary, Waikhom Phajatombi (MCS), also Additional Director of DIPR stated that the Act had been enacted for the protection of women and to uphold their dignity at the workplace. It was noted that, as per Supreme Court directions, every office is required to constitute an Internal Committee to address complaints of sexual harassment, and that the Act empowers the Committee to function effectively in safeguarding women.
She also informed that the Manipur State Commission for Women has covered both hill and valley districts in spreading awareness, and stated that the sensitisation programme was organised to strengthen understanding and proper implementation of the law.
Attending the programme as a resource person, Soraisam Devajani, Advocate, highlighted the complaint procedures. She said the complaint should be filed within three months of the date of the incident of sexual harassment or within three months of the last incident
MSCW holds sensitisation programme on sexual harassment
