Preamble
Miles2smile is committed to the inclusion of women’s talents, skills, experience and energies across all sectors. However, creating gender equality through empowerment, safety and well-being of women are also crucial and fundamental.
The Vishaka Guidelines were a set of procedural guidelines for use in India in cases of sexual harassment. They were promulgated by the Indian Supreme Court in 1997 and were superseded in 2013 by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (PoSH).
Our organization is committed towards implementing and adhering to these guidelines.
- The policy is applicable to all members, associate members, visitors of the organization in office or in any place where the organization works.
- It shall be the duty of the employer or other responsible persons in work places or other institutions to prevent or deter the commission of acts of sexual harassment and to provide the procedures for the resolution, settlement or prosecution of acts, of sexual harassment by taking all steps required.
- Employees are encouraged to raise issues of sexual harassment at a workers’ meeting and in other appropriate forum and it should be affirmatively discussed in EmployerEmployee Meetings
Definition:
For this purpose, sexual harassment includes such unwelcome sexually determined behaviour (whether directly or by implication) as:
- Physical contact and advances;
- A demand or request for sexual favours;
- Sexually coloured remarks;
- Showing pornography;
- Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature
Where any of these acts is committed in circumstances where-under the victim of such conduct has a reasonable apprehension that in relation to the victim‟s employment or work whether she is drawing salary, or honorarium or voluntary, such conduct can be humiliating and may constitute a health and safety problem.
Complaint and Redressal
- Any victim of sexual harassment at Miles2Smile can register their complaint through:
- In person- the organisation follows an open door policy and any victim of sexual harassment can approach their immidiate senior or head of the organisation for such complaint
- Via e-mail/phone- the victim can also file their complaint at the organization’s official email or phone number.
- The complainant will have to file a written complaint for the purpose of records.
- The redressal of the complaint would be done through thorough and unbiased investigation in the matter within 48 hours of the complaint.
- For the purpose of confidentiality, the identity of the victim will remain enclosed unless absolutely necessary for dealing with the complete matter.
Complaint Committee
The Complaints Committee should be headed by a woman and not less than half of its members should be women. Further, to prevent the possibility of any undue pressure or influence from senior levels, such a Complaints Committee should involve a third party
