The Government of India.is committed to ending all forms of violence against women that negatively impact society, hamper gender equality and constricts the social and economic

development of the country.

Since, sexual harassment results in violation of the fundamental rights of a woman to equality as per Articles 14 and 15 and her right to live with dignity as mentioned under

Article 21 of the Constitution, the Government of India enacted the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The Act is an

extension of the Vishaka Guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in 1997. The Supreme Court of India, for the first time in the Vishaka Guidelines, acknowledged Sexual Harassment

at the workplace as a human rights violation. Further, the Act also reflects the commitment of the Government to the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of

Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on July 09, 1993, This new legislation makes every effort to be a user friendly tool in the hands of the employers and employees, to create

safe and secure workplaces for all women.

prohibited sexual harassment at workplace through national legislation. The Act is unique in its broad coverage which includes all working women from organised and

unorganised sectors alike, as also public and private sectors, regardless of hierarchy. Effective implementation of the Act is a challenge. The Handbook is designed to be a Ready

Reckoner for organisations vested with responsibility to enforce the law.