‘I believe in the pain and trauma behind every single complaint’: Maneka Gandhi proposes judicial panel to look into #MeToo India complaints

In a stern move against sexual harassment cases, the Ministry of Women & Child Development on Friday said that it will be setting up a committee of senior judicial and legal persons as members to examine all issues emanating from the MeToo India movement. The committee will look into the legal and institutional framework which is in place for handling complaints of sexual harassment at work

“I believe in the pain and trauma behind every single complaint,” said Union Minister Maneka Gandhi while asserting that sexual harassment must be dealt with a policy of zero tolerance.

“In order to ensure harassment-free workplaces covering all women (all ages, full-time and part-time, public and private sector, organised or unorganised sectors etc., including domestic workers, students, apprentices and eve those women visiting an office), the Government has put in place an effective legal and institutional framework in place through 'The Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013,' said Ministry of WCD in a statement.

READ | #MeToo : 'If My Brother Has Behaved In This Manner He Has A Lot To Atone For,' Says Farah Khan Responding To Allegations Made On Brother Sajid Khan

To make workplaces more conducive to women employees the Ministry will be setting up an Internal Complaints Committee and will be putting in place more functional trustworthy systems will be put in place.

READ | #MeToo : 'Flora Saini Has Put False Allegation To Gain Publicity,' Says Accused Gaurang Doshi

The Ministry also laid down mechanisms through which women can report grievances pertaining to sexual harassment.

“Complaints can be given to the ICCs or submitted at the dedicated portal of “She-Box” http://www.shebox.nic.in/. Aggrieved women can also mail us at min-wcd@nic.in or tweet to us with #HelpMeWCD, and we will take up the complaints with the authorities concerned,”said Ministry of WCD in a statement.

Maneka Gandhi also urged women across all sectors “to come out fearlessly and report cases of any form Sexual harassment”, so that the Ministry can extend assistance to them.

READ | #MeToo: 'If Anyone Has Wronged Even A Single Woman, Neither ADF Nor I Will Stand For It,' Says Ajay Devgn