Preventing Sexual Harassment against Women in India: A Socio-Legal Analysis

Abstract

Sexual harassment of women continues to be one of the most widespread acts of gender based barriers to women's participation in community life in India. This socio-legal analysis critically analyzes the preventive mechanisms created by the Indian legislations, including the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013, the constitution and criminal laws and the institutional structures. The paper provides analysis of the effectiveness of the Internal Complaints Committee, gender sensitisation programmes, awareness creation programmes and judicial intervention mechanism for the prevention and remedy of sexual harassment. The study examines the disparities between legal provisions and reality, identifies implementation obstacles, including low rates of reporting, institutional hurdles, a victim-blaming culture, and gaps in enforcement, from a doctrinal and empirical perspective. It also evaluates the socio-legal effects of preventative measures on women's safety, dignity and access to the public and professional arena. The paper ends with some action-oriented recommendations for enhancing preventive strategies, accountability and enabling gender-just society in India.