Tura, August 16, 2024:  A One Day Legal Awareness programme was held at 9th Mile, Weekly Market under West Garo Hills district today organized by the District Legal Services Authority, West Garo Hills, Tura in collaboration with Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority under the aegis of National Services Authority.

During the programme, Legal Aid Counsel, DLSA, Tura Grangchira Ch Marak spoke about the “Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005” and “Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act”.

Highlighting the objectives and importance of legal services to the people, she said that “Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005”, was enacted in order to prevent domestic violence of women in our families. Moreover, she said that the Act is mostly related to women who are victims of any kind of domestic violence and informed that the victims of domestic violence should report to any nearest protection officer or police station in the district after which necessary legal action will be taken against the offender.

Further, with regard to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act”, she mentioned that the act aims to prevent and address incidents of Sexual Harassment of women at their place of work and provide a mechanism for redressal of complaints related to such harassment. 

Mentioning about the types of sexual harassment, she said that types can be verbal or physical. She also informed that the workplace mentioned includes government, private and non-governmental organizations, as well as any organizations, institutions, undertakings or establishments. She also said that the Act mandates every workplace employing more than ten persons to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee which is responsible for addressing complaints of sexual harassment and ensuring a safe working environment.