Women and Child Safety- Issues & Measures

PoSH Act- Protection on Sexual Harassment of 2013:-

• Sexual Harassment of Women in the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act of 2013 defines the act as well as various safety measures involved.

• It lays down the procedures for complaint and inquiry and the action to be taken in case of sexual harassment.

• Gave legislative backing to vishakha guidelines laid down by the SC in 1997.

• Mandates every employer must constitute an International Complaints Committee (ICC) at each office or branch that had 10 or more employees

• The aggrieved victim under the Act can be a woman "of any age whether employed [ at the workplace] or not", who "alleges to have been subjected to any act of sexual harassment".

The Act protects the rights of all women who are working or visiting any workplace, in any capacity.

POCSO Act- Protection of Children against sexual offenses 2012

• POCSO Act, 2012 was enacted when the cases of sexual abuse against children were rising. It contains provisions regarding the protection of children from sexual assault and pornography and lays down the procedure for the implementation of these laws it is gender neutral — it recognizes that boys can be victims of sexual violence as well. It defines a child as someone under the age of 18.

Key Challenges to the Implementation of the POCSO Act:-

1. Legal Inconsistencies

Fear of Disclosure of Identities

1. Mandatory reporting provisions

2. Applicability of consensual relations in Minors

3. Delay in Investigation

4. Lack of special courts in all districts

5. Inadequate compensation to the victims

6. Lack of awareness about the POCSO Act.

Required Measures to be taken:-

1. Awareness and Education about the act

2. reporting mechanism to be made much easier like Childline

3. Child-Friendly environment

4. Strengthening law enforcement

5. Special courts- Time limit for solving cases

6. Confidentiality and privacy

7. Rehabilitation and support

8. Public prosecutors and legal support

9. Collaboration and coordination amongst various Government mechanisms to law-making bodies, from children protecting organizations to spreading awareness amongst schools and NGOs

10. Decriminalizing Adolescent sexuality.

We believe by the implementation of these measures we can overcome many safety-related concerns of Women as well as children from any kind of harassment. By encouraging the government's policies and steps towards these we can ensure being a good citizen and fulfilling our Fundamental Duties. Making everyone know about this would be a great step ahead in the future runway.

When you know yourself, you are empowered, when you accept yourself, you are Invincible!..