Complaints of "harassment" and "sexual harassment" in the workplace have witnessed a significant increase in Maharashtra, according to data provided by the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW). Over the past six years, harassment cases have risen by 182 percent, while sexual harassment cases have increased by 68 percent.
2019-20 saw highest cases of sexual harassment
The data reveals that harassment cases rose from 194 in the year 2017-18 (April-March) to 548 in 2022-23, while sexual harassment cases increased from 22 to 37 during the same period. The year 2019-20 witnessed a peak in sexual harassment complaints, with 44 cases being filed. The data was obtained through an RTI application filed by Jeetendra Ghadge, who sought information on pending complaints with the commission, among other details.
Ghadge received information in eight categories, including marital problems, court matters, dowry deaths, social problems (harassment, rape, etc.), property-related issues, sexual harassment in the workplace, workplace harassment, and others. Complaints related to marital and social problems accounted for the highest share of total complaints, each representing over 25 percent of the total complaints in 2022-23. Marital problem complaints reached 2,819 out of a total of 10,146 complaints, while social problem complaints stood at 2,803. In earlier years, these categories accounted for up to 43 percent of the total complaints. In 2022-23, the "other" category received the highest share of complaints, encompassing various issues where women felt targeted due to their gender.
Pending complaints surge
Pending complaints have also seen a notable increase, rising by 46.86 percent over the past six years, from 3,799 in 2017-18 to 5,840 in 2022-23. The highest number of pending complaints was recorded in 2021-22, with 5,866 cases. Ghadge expressed concern over the growing number of pending cases and urged the Women's Commission to focus on providing justice and assistance to the complainants.
Rupali Chakankar, chairperson of MSCW, did not respond to inquiries, while an official from the commission highlighted that the high number of harassment cases reflects the existing problem. The official also mentioned that the counseling process can prolong cases, contributing to the backlog of pending complaints.
Harassment at workplace
2017-18 - 194
2018-19 - 273
2019-20 - 360
2020-21 - 241
2021-22 - 425
2022-23 - 548
Sexual harassment at workplace
2017-18 - 22
2018-19 - 32
2019-20 - 44
2020-21 - 29
2021-22 - 24
2022-23 - 37
Pending complaints
2017-18 - 3,799
2018-19 - 5,586
2019-20 - 4,765
2020-21 - 4,826
2021-22 - 5,866
2022-23 - 5,840
