After MeToo cases, GoM formed to examine law on sexual harassment at workplace

The central government on Wednesday formed a Group of Ministers (GoM) to examine the existing legal and institutional frameworks to deal with and prevent sexual harassment of women at the workplace.

The GoM will be chaired by Union home minister Rajnath Singh and include minister of women and child development (WCD) Maneka Gandhi, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari.

“... the government has constituted a GoM to strengthen the legal and institutional framework to deal with and prevent sexual harassment at work. This is in tune with WCD ministry’s mission for a safe and conducive work environment for women,” Gandhi said. The committee’s formation follows a raft of allegations of sexual harassment at the workplace by women in the media and entertainment industries as part of the #MeToo movement. Earlier this month, minister of state for external affairs MJ Akbar resigned, buffeted by allegations of sexual misconduct. The GoM will, within three months of its constitution, examine the existing provisions for the safety of women and recommend further measures required to make them more effective, a WCD ministry statement said.

“The GoM has been constituted in view of the need for broader consultation on this issue, from the point of view of developing appropriate recommendations and laying down a comprehensive plan of action and ensuring its time-bound implementation,” the statement added.