Abstract

Women play an active and vital role in various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and services, contributing significantly to both social progress and economic growth. Yet, many working women, particularly in rural regions, continue to face challenges such as sexual harassment at the workplace. Although the Indian government introduced the POSH Act (2013) to provide legal protection against such misconduct, awareness and implementation of the Act remain limited, especially in non-urban settings. This study investigates the level of awareness rural women employees have about the POSH Act, their understanding of its procedures, and the factors that prevent them from reporting harassment. Data was gathered through structured interviews with 150 women employees. The analysis shows that while some respondents have a basic idea of the Act, many are unaware of critical components like the Internal Complaints Committee or the process for lodging complaints. Fear of job loss, family pressure, social stigma, and lack of trust in confidentiality are key reasons behind their silence. The findings highlight the urgent need for awareness campaigns, proper training, and enforcement of workplace safety policies in rural areas.

Authors

M.J. Senthil Kumar
Sri Kaliswari College, India

Keywords

Internal Complaints Committee, Legal Protection, POSH Act, Rural Women, Sexual Harassment, Social Stigma