I Picked Up a Fight, and Became a Leader!

Abstract

In a first-hand account, Dr Rina Mukherji dwells on her experience in fighting a ten-year-long lawsuit on sexual harassment against a leading English newspaper, concluding that it was this case that transformed her into a leader of sorts. Focusing on sexual harassment in the workplace, she laments that employers do not have relevant committees in place, and that if they do, these are often biased. When women choose to go to court, the flaws of the Indian judicial system — expense, delay, understaffing — thwart them. In any case, they may lose their jobs, and thus become further victimized. The author suggests that introducing fast-track courts, providing legal aid and trauma counselling and strengthening political institutions would enable speedy and effective justice for women. She contends, however, that without first demolishing the ‘culture of shame’ that shrouds the self-identity of the Indian woman, none of these suggestions will prove to be effective.