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Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | September 18
Nagaland state is considered as one of the safest states in India for women with a low crime rate against women. As per the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), the state has recorded 39 cases during 2020 in this regard while it recorded 43 cases during 2019 and 75 cases during 2018 respectively, showing a declining trend for crime against women.
However, Gracy Ayee, State Coordinator, State Resource Centre for Women, Nagaland opined that this data is not a reflection of the ground reality. During a webinar on ‘Sexual Harassment in the Workplaces in the Nagaland Context’ which was hosted by NEISSR and Peace Channel in collaboration with Prodigals' Home and Miqlat Ministry on Saturday afternoon via Zoom, she said these cases are only those which are officially recorded.
Since its inception in 2016, under Women Helpline 181, only 3 cases have been registered against sexual harassment at workplace. Gracy Ayee noted that looking at the data, people might think this subject is not even relevant to Nagaland but stated that there are many reasons why people do not officially report besides anonymous calls that keep coming in.
She observed that “We keep talking about the victim and less about the abuser. We would ignore the subject and not be part of the larger dynamic,” and in this regard, went on to say that, “When we talk about this, it is not a battle of the sexes” but that, men should also be part of it to fight the issue together.
She highlighted that among others, there are so many stories and cases of sexual abuse happening with domestic helps, wherein they are physically and sexually abused. When we talk about sexual harassment at workplace, she asserted that “Prevention is to recognize that this particular incident amounts to sexual harassment at workplace.”
In this connection, she explained that sexual harassment is any gesture that is unwelcome such as “unwelcome flirtation” or any “unwelcome verbal or nonverbal conduct”, which are all signs of sexual harassment at workplace.
“Let us try and keep our work environment healthy”, she urged while also calling upon young people to be responsible social media users in the face of increasing cybercrime.
Sonia Singh, IPS, IGP IR BN also highlighted that Nagaland has recorded very low crime rate but observed that people are not ready to open up. “We do not want to have any bad relations with anybody, these feelings stop us, especially in Nagaland because of the closely knitted society,” she observed.
However, emphasizing that it is time to stand up, she expressed that even a single act of sexual harassment, needs to be reported. When people pass lewd comments or make indecent proposals, she stated that “We have to be firm, and acknowledge that we are the masters of ourselves. If somebody dares to infringe into that, we have to be confident to report about it.”
Sexual harassment does not only mean in workplace, she added, but could be in households, government institutions, NGOs, educational institutions, private, public, government, non-government—any act where somebody is soliciting any sexual favour in return. Such advances are all part and parcel of sexual harassment, she explained.
“The moment you feel uncomfortable…if your gut feeling is telling you, it is wrong, please get up. If you do not speak up, this person gets emboldened. Do not give anybody the chance to spoil your peace of mind,” she urged.
Prof A Pumungla Aier, Nursing Superintendent CIHSR highlighted that harassment of any kind, “undermines the employment relationship” and went on to say that “you have the right to work in an environment free from unsolicited and unwelcome sexual overtures, intimidation, hostility, or other offences which might interfere with your work performance.”
In this regard, she also said CIHSR has zero tolerance for sexual harassment of any sort-verbal, non-verbal, physical or visual.
Thejavinuo Pienyu, Advocate dwelt on the common types of sexual harassment which can be physical, verbal, non-verbal/visual besides highlighting the legal provisions related to sexual offences, how to file a complaint, etc. Vitono Gugu Haralu, Social Activist was the facilitator for the webinar.
