“Shhh… Don’t say that aloud! People might hear you!”

“Just ignore and move on”

“It will pass. Don’t worry”

“What can you do? Just leave it.”

“You know how society is…”

If you are a woman, you must be having an idea of what I am referring to. After the #MeToo era, the world has been burning up with women sharing their incidents of sexual harassment. Although women are coming forth to disclose their painful and traumatic experiences, I still don’t see a significant change in the attitude of men around me. According to statistics, the number of workplaces sexual harassment cases registered in India jumped 54% from 2014 to 2017.  However, this could also be on account of a higher number of women filing complaints and speaking up.  

Be it a shopping complex, a short commute in public transport or simply working out in gyms, I feel that the stares never leave me. Those lewd comments, that smirk on those faces, those pupils that have no shame, are all around me and it’s suffocating! 

There are PoSH guidelines, women helpline number, strict policies for me to fight against sexual harassment. But is it properly implemented at all the workplaces? Do women feel comfortable in going and simply narrating what happened to them? Is there any guaranteed immediate action? 

Well, the blatant truth is, NO! There are still many formal and informal workplaces that are not PoSH compliant, and even if there are, they are simply indifferent towards the complaints that come up. The best solution they suggest is, solving it at a personal level as if it is not an issue at all! One such incident happened with Sandhya Krishnan, a resident of Mumbai, and a very successful ICF Certified coach.

You are going on with your daily routine and heading up to the gym for releasing the day’s stress with a focus on your health and fitness. But those stares and snide comments are all around you.

She writes, “There is a certain look that makes women very uncomfortable in public spaces, and in gyms in particular. The gym is the one place where we cannot always be mindful of how much we are covered or how much our body will move”.

The incident is of Bandra’s posh Gold’s Gym where women are “regularly subjected to stares, lecherous, lascivious and leering looks and comments from certain members, trainers, and staff”. The groups of middle-aged men give women dirty looks due to which they have changed their timings and attire, so they don’t have to deal with such things. They don’t feel comfortable wearing sleeveless tees, crop tops or shorts in the gym!

Sexual harassment is an offense! Suggesting non-confrontational alternatives and turning a blind eye only fuels it further. How many gyms will you change? How much will you cover-up? For how long will the mouths be kept shut? Regret, rage, and worthlessness will continue to seep in us if we continue to worry about the consequences.

I understand the feeling of hesitation, the fear of criticism and judgments that comes up when such an incident happens. Because life isn’t the same as before when such petrifying incidents are attached to our memory.

But the change is in our hands. The ugly truth needs to be out in the open. We can’t stop our routines or switch one workplace after another. But we can take action. For ourselves as well for our fellow women going through similar situations.

What counts is not backing down and fighting the ignorance that is prevalent at workplaces. When society pushes you down, you push yourself harder because silence is not the solution. Sandhya Krishnan didn’t stop and escalated the issue to make everyone realize the seriousness of the incident!

She stuck to her decision and didn’t think of the consequences and after facing many counter allegations and lethargic responses, the gym authorities agreed to conduct workshops for trainers, housekeeping staff and members along with the suspension of the membership of an individual.

The question that constantly pricks my mind is why there were no existing provisions by the management to sensitize the staff and members about sexual misconduct, and the rights available to victims in accordance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (PoSH Act)?

According to a male member, trainers are reluctant to take action for fear of losing clients. “They just ask people to try and resolve things on a personal level.” At this pace, sexual harassment cannot be eliminated when monetary gains are given more importance than the safety and dignity of women.

It takes up much courage to stand up against sexual harassment and stick to our decisions to get justice. But no matter how hard it gets, never back down! Raise the issue for your safety as well as for all the women out there. Because there are still many gyms and other workplaces where there is no provision for addressing sexual harassment complaints and no compliance with the PoSH act.

According to the PoSH act, any workspace with more than 10 employees must have anti-sexual harassment training to sensitize all its staff with a properly constituted internal committee to address and make inquiries into women’s complaints.

It is not difficult to create an environment that is protected, warm, friendly and safe; it just requires focus and attention. The most effective weapon against sexual harassment is awareness.

Sexual harassment at the workplace can be eliminated. The solution starts with anti-sexual harassment training. The employees, management, staff, and onlookers need to understand the gravity of such incidents. Contact Rainmaker to schedule a training program.

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