Limitations on power of tribunals

AFTER more than two decades of advocacy by women’s rights groups and NGOs, Parliament finally passed the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022 (Asha) in October 2022. Coming into effect in March 2023, it defines sexual harassment as any unwanted sexual behaviour, be it verbal, non-verbal, visual, gestural or physical, that is reasonably offensive or humiliating or threatens an individual’s well-being.

Unlike the Employment Act 1955, which only covers workplace sexual harassment, Asha provides a remedy for anyone who has been a victim of sexual harassment in any domain of life.