The Sexual Harassment at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act and The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Rules 2013, has been notified by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Both have come in to force from December 9, 2013.

It was on 22nd April 2013, the president of India gave his assent to this comprehensive legislation dealing with the protection of women against sexual harassment at workplace.



It was in Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan the Supreme Court for the first time recognized, acknowledged and explicitly defined sexual harassment as an – unwelcome sexual gesture or behaviour aimed or having a tendency to outrage the modesty of woman directly or indirectly.

The Act has in fact sought to widen the scope of the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in the Vishakha Case.



This new piece of legislation has cast some duties on the employer to ensure that the Women are not subjected to sexual harassment at the workplace. The employer has to comply with certain requirements like making a policy, setting up an internal committee etc.