INDIA: SEXUAL HARASSMENT COURT CASE

Описание: (7 Mar 1999) Hindi/English/Nat

The issue of sexual harassment has long been taboo in India but a recent court case has brought the issue to greater light.

In an historic judgement on sexual harassment at work, the Indian High Court ruled in favour of the woman and has ordered her employers to reinstate her in her old job.

Despite the success of this case, many women say the justice system isn't supporting the rights of women in the home or work place and are calling for changes.

It has been a long battle for justice for this 45 year old single mother.

Shahnaz Sani was working as a ground hostess with an airline in Bombay when she was sacked.

Her crime had been to protest against her boss's sexual advances.

In its first ever judgement on sexual harassment in the work place, the Indian High court has ordered the airline to reinstate Shahnaz, backdate her salary and pay court costs.

It has taken Shahnaz 13 years to get justice. She now hopes the verdict will deter many potential offenders.

SOUNDBITE: ( English )
\"This verdict would definitely inspire and encourage all the women who are in similar situations ...to come out and fight for their fundamental rights. Besides, this verdict will also act as a deterrent measure.\"
SUPER CAPTION : Shahnaz Sani, Sexual Harassment Victim

In India, sexual harassment at work has long been a grey area in legal terms.

It was only recently that the Supreme court issued broad guidelines defining what constitutes sexual harassment at work.

The guidelines say that it's the employer's job to prevent sexual harassment and initiate criminal or disciplinary action against offenders.

However, many women feel that what's written on paper may not translate into real empowerment of women until the social stigma attached to sexual harassment is addressed.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
\"For a woman to come out and say - look I have been sexually harassed. It involves her dignity, her respectability, her morality and all those great elements which make up the social scenario.\"
SUPER CAPTION: Purnima Advani, National Commission for Women

There has been a steady increase in the number of women in the work force.

For the vast majority employed in unorganised sectors, gender justice remains an alien concept.

Recent surveys have found sexual harassment at work to be widespread.

But cases are rarely reported formally for fear it would shame the woman more than the offender.

The difficulty in proving their charges and the fear of losing their jobs if they report the harassment, deters most women from taking the issue any further.

Women's groups are now targeting the lack of awareness among working women concerning gender equality.

They're not helped they say, by the lack of information on the Supreme Court guidelines.

Even though more and more women are beginning to speak up, cases like Shahnaz are still a rarity.

Centuries of social conditioning and discriminatory gender models have taken their toll in stifling the voices of protest.

Yet , the change in attitude is now perceptible.

SOUNDBITE: ( Hindi )
\"I have been taught that girls should always speak with restraint. But I think that by the time we grow up, some change would definitely come. May be then we will have some people who support our thoughts ....some who could carry our voices out to the world. \"
SUPER CAPTION : VOX POP Student

But for Shahnaz another battle is underway.

Her employers have decided to relocate her to another city just days after she returned to her old job.


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