E-platform likely to be launched to file sexual harassment cases online by this month

NEW DELHI: An e-platform that will enable women employees of the central government to file sexual harassment

 complaints online is likely to be launched this month. "We have worked vigorously in the last two-three years in this area. Women and Child Development (WCD) Minister Maneka Gandhi said.

"We have just been waiting for the NIC (National Information Centre) to establish it. It (platform) should be here this month," Gandhi, who was addressing heads of Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) of various ministries and departments, added.

The decision to host an online platform for sexual harassment cases was taken by the WCD ministry last October after the minister received complaints from women employees from various ministries.

The e-platform will be hosted on the WCD ministry's website and the complaints will then be taken up with the respective ministries or departments.

The minister asked the heads of ICCs to deal with frivolous cases "very strictly" and "be careful". Her ministry, too, received many such cases, she said. "I have zero tolerance for such frivolous cases," Gandhi declared.

In her opening address at the workshop, Gandhi also said, "Common bathrooms for males and females is a form of harassment."

"Sometimes, women do not want to go to a bathroom used by men. The ICC should extend its mandate to want better facilities for women, which will eventually cut down on feeling of unhappiness experienced by women." She also urged representatives of all ministries to ensure compliance within their domain.

The Union government has a strength of 30.87 lakh employees. According to the Census of Central Government Employees, 2011, women constitute 10.93% of the total force.