SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORKPLACE

Sexual harassment at the workplace in India is not a gap in law—it is a gap in enforcement. From Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan to the 2013 Workplace Act and post-Nirbhaya criminal law reforms, the legal framework clearly recognises harassment as a violation of equality, dignity, and the right to work. Yet, the problem persists across institutions. This article argues that the issue is structural: rooted in hierarchy, power imbalance, and institutional reluctance to act against those in authority. It examines how mechanisms like Internal Committees often function in form rather than substance, how survivors face retaliation and silence, and how organisations prioritise reputation over justice. While the law is strong on paper, its impact remains limited without genuine accountability. The paper ultimately calls for a shift from formal compliance to real institutional courage, where workplace dignity is treated not as policy, but as a constitutional obligation.