SEXCAPADES AND THE LAW
Ratna Kapur
The article focuses on sexual harassment laws in India and the common societal notions that are plaguing the same. The author examines three concerns; mainly, implications of sexual harassment laws on women's rights, implications of a focus on sexual wrongs and the creation of victimized politics for women. She argues that the sexual harassment laws currently in India are compromising women's sexual and equality rights and reinforcing a conservative idea of a sexual woman. She beautifully analyses the landmark Vishakha judgment and how the guidelines are merely on paper and the implementation is almost nil. Keeping the 'Me Too' movement in mind, we can say how this article plays into the fight of women against being silenced by their powerful male employers who ask for sexual favors and promise them gifts in return. This kind of behavior has only been regarded as sexual discrimination in recent times and what is frightening is the view of the woman as a 'whore', instead of the man as a 'predator'. The author argues that the sexual harassment laws as they stand today are too narrow and don't include several communities and situations and therefore, need constant growth.
No comments:
Post a Comment