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Harassment: women's panel to seek legislation

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE Nov. 25. The Kerala State Women's Commission will submit a proposal to the State Government to formulate legislation that would ensure the dignity and safety of women at the workplace. A core committee would be set up to draft the proposals.

Speaking to The Hindu today, the Chairperson of the Commission, M. Kamalam, said the only way open to women seeking recourse against harassment at the workplace was the Supreme Court ruling in the Visakha vs State of Rajasthan case.

The panel recently called a meeting of more than 100 Government department heads, including the police, and officials from the Revenue and Public Works Departments, Election Commission, etc., to discuss the issue. Questionnaires were circulated, and written replies elicited from the officials.

It is revealed that many of the departments have not set up women's complaints cells.

``The panel was prompted to take the step following the scores of complaints it has received from women who are employed in different capacities. In Kerala, the number of women employed is increasing. The instances of harassment were on the rise too.

Neither the Centre nor the State Government has a law to protect women in such situations. Not that all complaints had to be genuine. This is a reality that will have to be tackled in the right perspective,'' she added.

The State panel has also sent its proposals to the National Women's Commission on a new initiative to train women lawyers on various aspects of law relating to women.'' This will help create a team of more than 3.5-lakh women well versed in all aspects of law to combat problems faced by women,'' the chairperson said.

Ms. Kamalam said dowry deaths were on the rise in Kerala, going by the number of complaints before the panel. These were from all communities.

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