By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 2: The Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) chairperson, Iamonlang Syiem, on Tuesday emphasised the need for greater involvement of men in Internal Committees, pointing out that issues concerning women are often dismissed as “women’s issues.”
“Men too must be sensitised. Internal Committees must involve men because they also need to be aware,” she added. It may be noted that it was mandated for workplaces in the state to establish Internal Complaints Committees to address sexual harassment of women.
Speaking at the inaugural function of an awareness programme on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace (POSH), the MSCW chairperson expressed serious concern over the growing sense of insecurity faced by women across all spheres of life—homes, workplaces, institutions, markets, and public spaces.
Syiem said that although some women remain protected, many continue to experience multiple forms of violence. “From the womb to the tomb, many forms of violence occur—feticide, infanticide, femicide, domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, emotional and physical abuse, and gender-based discrimination. Cases under POCSO are increasing,” she stated.
Syiem noted that even as more women join the workforce, safety at the workplace remains a major concern.
Highlighting harassment and stalking in public spaces, Syiem said that women and even children face dangers daily. She attributed this to deeper cultural issues, including normalised violence, harmful social media content, patriarchal attitudes, and layered inequalities of caste, class, and gender.
She urged parents to monitor children’s exposure to violent or explicit online content and suggested that India could consider policies—similar to those in some countries—that restrict internet or mobile access for minors under 16
Sharing her own experiences, Syiem said that women frequently face inappropriate jokes or comments at workplaces. “That discomfort you feel is the real indicator,” she said, encouraging women not to normalise or tolerate such behaviour. Syiem emphasised that laws like the POSH Act must be understood in a wider context of culture, value systems, mental health, education, policing, and societal attitudes. “Nothing exists in isolation. If one system fails, vulnerabilities appear in others,” she added.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya State Judicial Academy director, Kerpa M Lyngdoh Nongbri, delivering a session on “Understanding Sexual Harassment and the Role of Internal Committees,” traced the origins of the POSH Act to the case of Bhanwari Devi, a social worker in Rajasthan who was gang-raped in 1992 while preventing a child marriage.
Nongbri explained that due to weak investigation and inadequate evidence, the accused were acquitted, with caste prejudice even forming part of their defence. The absence of workplace protection mechanisms at that time prompted women’s groups to approach the Supreme Court, resulting in the landmark Vishakha Guidelines of 1997.
“These guidelines recognised a woman’s right to equality, work, life, and dignity,” she said, adding that they served as binding directives until the enactment of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act in 2013.
Nongbri cautioned that although fewer cases are reported today, low reporting may indicate fear, stigma, or lack of awareness. “This is why such programs are crucial,” she added.
