The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) leaves men and LGBTQ+ individuals vulnerable and unprotected, hence there is a need of gender-neutral laws for harassment at workplace

This bias in the law not only perpetuates stereotypes but also deters men from reporting harassment.

Men Don’t Report Sexual Harassment

Men rarely report instances of sexual harassment, and the reasons are deeply rooted in both legal and societal biases. First, India’s legal framework heavily favors women in harassment cases. A man who reports harassment risks facing a counter-allegation from the accused woman. In such situations, the law often presumes the woman to be the victim, leaving the man vulnerable to arrest without a thorough investigation.

Secondly, societal attitudes make it difficult for men to speak up. Claims of harassment against men are often dismissed as humorous or unimportant. Victims are ridiculed and told to “man up,” further discouraging them from seeking justice. The fear of being mocked or labeled weak forces many male victims to suffer in silence.

The Prevalence of Male Victimization

Contrary to popular belief, sexual harassment against men is not rare. The Indian National Bar Association conducted as survey in year 2016 which revealed that 22% of harassment victims in workplaces were men. Despite this, India’s legal system and workplace policies remain silent on the issue.

Legal Bias That Need Addressing

The POSH Act explicitly identifies only women as victims. The Indian Penal Code, too, fails to address sexual harassment against men. This leaves male victims with little recourse, violating their constitutional right to equality under Article 14.

Gender-neutral laws are the need of the hour. By replacing the word “woman” with “person” in the POSH Act, and adopting inclusive language in the Penal Code, India can ensure justice for all victims of workplace harassment, regardless of gender.

Global Examples

Countries like Australia, Denmark, and the UK have successfully implemented gender-neutral workplace harassment laws. These frameworks prioritize the dignity of individuals over gendered assumptions, offering equal protection to all. India must take a cue from these nations and modernize its laws.

Conclusion

Workplace harassment is not a gendered issue; it is a human rights issue. Men deserve the same protection as women under the law. Until India implements gender-neutral laws, male victims will continue to suffer in silence, perpetuating a cycle of injustice and inequality.

Phogat called the market secretary Sultan Singh in private and then accused him of using inappropriate language for her. So if this was public visit in the market, why you took him in private. The important thing is that Singh was very cooperative and polite all the time and even then when you were beating him, why did he suddenly loose the tempo in your private discussion.

After looking at the entire scenarios and link every aspect, it appears that you went there to satisfy you personal reasons. It was more influenced by your personal reasons while you fraudulently projected your visit an official one.

How can you thrashed any citizen just for your personal reason, who is officially deployed and working honestly. Even you misused the process of law which has essentially made to protect women. Madam you was there with 2-3 four wheeler with more than 8-10 young guys, and you stating it was a official visit.

Men Helpline condemned any kind of shame and harassment with men, just to satisfy their personal vendetta. This is again a human rights violation that, she publicly shamed Mr Singh for the crime he never did.

We being a mens rights organisation, demand Hisar police to arrest Sonali Phogat for thrashing, abusing, stopping a public servant to work, misusing the process of law and institution of criminal proceeding by falsely accusing a person.

We request BJP Haryana wing to suspend her for lifetime from party for the above said conduct. That she was a TikTok star and she made the life of Mr Singh a TicTok, who was forced to feel ashamed for the act he did not committed. He has been shamed in public just because he is a man and Phogat successfully able to shame him because she is a woman.

Attached here Twitter link for reference.

Friday, Sonali Phogat visited Hisar market concerning the farmers grievances but the way she tried to politicise her visit is Not commendable. Men Helpline condemned such behaviour of Sonali Phogat for misusing the process of law to harass a man.

Phogat called the market secretary Sultan Singh in private and then accused him of using inappropriate language for her. So if this was public visit in the market, why you took him in private. The important thing is that Singh was very cooperative and polite all the time and even then when you were beating him, why did he suddenly loose the tempo in your private discussion.

After looking at the entire scenarios and link every aspect, it appears that you went there to satisfy you personal reasons. It was more influenced by your personal reasons while you fraudulently projected your visit an official one.

How can you thrashed any citizen just for your personal reason, who is officially deployed and working honestly. Even you misused the process of law which has essentially made to protect women. Madam you was there with 2-3 four wheeler with more than 8-10 young guys, and you stating it was a official visit.

Men Helpline condemned any kind of shame and harassment with men, just to satisfy their personal vendetta. This is again a human rights violation that, she publicly shamed Mr Singh for the crime he never did.

We being a mens rights organisation, demand Hisar police to arrest Sonali Phogat for thrashing, abusing, stopping a public servant to work, misusing the process of law and institution of criminal proceeding by falsely accusing a person.

We request BJP Haryana wing to suspend her for lifetime from party for the above said conduct. That she was a TikTok star and she made the life of Mr Singh a TicTok, who was forced to feel ashamed for the act he did not committed. He has been shamed in public just because he is a man and Phogat successfully able to shame him because she is a woman.

Attached here Twitter link for reference.