Sexual Harassment Of Women At Work Place: A Study Of Indian Legislation And Judicial Approach

Dr Pallavi Singh* & Mr. Radha Ranjan**

ABSTRACT

In today's world, sexual harassment is a major source of concern. Sexual harassment infringes on women's fundamental rights, particularly the right to equality enshrined in Articles 14 and 15 of the Indian Constitution, as well as the right to life and a dignified existence enshrined in Article 21.The Indian Constitution's Preamble promises that all citizens will have "equality of status and opportunity. The constitutionally protected fundamental rights support the elimination of sexual harassment at the workplace. The Supreme Court has undoubtedly taken a courageous step in protecting women's rights by establishing rules for an issue that had not received adequate attention until 1997, after decades of independence. The origin of sexual harassment has been taken from the Bhanwari Devi case and an account of the Vishaka and Ors. v. Union of India, 1997 judgment, which highlight the causes that tend to spontaneously increase in sexual harassment cases from various time perspectives. The Court's intervention in cases involving sexual harassment of women paints a different picture. It demonstrates that courts have recognized their role in societal change and have effectively exercised their powers for the greater good. Sexual harassment not only harms a woman's physical appearance, but it also harms her emotional and mental growth.

Keywords: Sexual Harassment, Vishakha guidelines, POSH Act, Women, Workplace.