Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace as a Violation of Human Rights

Shaily Jain, Deepak

Abstract: Sexual harassment is a form of gender violence and may be defined as any violence physical or psychological, carried out through sexual means or by targeting sexuality. Sexual harassment is generally perpetrated through direct physical contact but it may be manifested in indirect form where direct physical contact may not exist, for example, eve teasing, sexual harassment at workplace because of a hostile work environment, etc. It is one of the most extreme and effective mode of control of women’s sexuality in a male dominated world, which simultaneously damage mode of control of women’s sexuality in a male dominated world, which simultaneously damage and constraint women’s lives there by maintaining the status quo of gender inequality, subjugation of women and their control. Sexual harassment at workplace is divided into two types: quid pro quo harassment which affect the employment of the victim in case of her non compliance and creation of hostile work environment including discussing sexual activities, using demeaning or inappropriate terms etc.

Keywords: Sexual molestation, sexual overtones, sexual harassment, physical grabbing