Sexual Harassment at Workplace: Legal Framework, Challenges and the Way Forward

Sexual Harassment at the Workplace is a serious violation of human rights, dignity and equality. It undermines an individual's right to work in a safe, secure and respectful environment. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality and freedom in India, sexual harassment continues to be a pervasive issue across sectors- public and private, organized and unorganized. The problem is not merely individual misconduct but reflects deep-rooted gender inequality and power imbalances in society. The recognition of sexual harassment as a legal wrong in India is relatively recent. Prior to the 1990's, there was no specific legislation addressing workplace sexual harassment. The judicial intervention in Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan, 1997 marked a turning point laying the foundation for the current legal framework. This article examines the concept of sexual harassment at the workplace, it's legal evolution in India, statutory provisions, employer responsibilities, challenges in implementation and the way forward.