Source: Action Aid India

Location: Bhubaneswar, Orissa

Language: Oriya

Other details: Text taken from Bengali by Panahita

(Campaign against sexual exploitation at work place)

Translation:

Do you know ?

Any unknown person

* Trying for physical contact or advances

* Demanding for or requesting for sexual relation

* Gives sexually coloured remarks

* Showing pornography

* Sexually determined behaviour (Physical, oral or any other form)

As per the Supreme Court definition all these behaviour will be treated as

Sexual harassment in work place.

Remember

1. You are not responsible rather the accused who did such behaviour is responsible.
2. Don’t keep it with you.

* Immediately oppose such behaviour of the accused.

* Inform others about the problems you are facing due to such behaviour of the accused.

*Every authority of the institution has to form an internal complaining committee to prevent such sexual harassment misdeeds.

3. In order to prove the complaint :

*Write down all such misdeeds you have faced

* Inform your colleagues

* Lodge your complain in written before the committee if you feel it is essential

* If your organization does not have such committee then complain to the higher authority in written about the absence of such committee.

Responsibility of the Authority

1. • To take steps to prevent and deter such sexual harassment cases in respective work places and to penalise the accussed.
   • Inform all other staff to keep themselves away from any type of sexual misconducts.
   • Make sexual harassment subject a discussion point at meetings and conferences.
   • Every institution should have an internal complaining committee
   • Build such an atmosphere at workplace where women colleagues do not face unwelcome behaviour.

Myth  : Sexual harassment cases are very rare.

Truth : Sexual harassment cases are very common. 40 to 60% working women face such unwelcome behaviours.

Myth : Some of the  sexual remarks are silly matters. Those women, don’t enjoy merry making, complain against such things.

Truth  : Different studies speak : All type of sexual harassment is disrespect to women’s honour.  This is offensive and it creates fear among women.

Myth : Obscene dresses and behaviour are responsible for sexual harassment.

Truth : This is a plea to suppress the crime.  Working in a fearless atmosphere, choice of clothes and movement are rights of  women.