KATHMANDU, Nepal - The Sexual Harassment at Workplace (elimination) Act, 2071 BS has come into force from Wednesday.
The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare announced the enforcement of the Act amidst a special programme here Wednesday. The Act includes a provision whereby a victim shall file a complaint against the perpetrator before the office chief first and shall move the respective chief district officer for justice if no action is taken regarding the complaint within fifteen days of registration of such complaint.

Any person found guilty of committing $ exual harassment as per the act can be slapped with six months in prison or Rs 500,000 fine or both. Workplace activities motivated with $ exual intent including eve teasing with ill or $ exual intent, physical touching with $ exual intent, using or demonstrating or publishing $ exual words, objects, pictures, audio-visuals or other vulgar and seductive materials, proposing $ exual activities at workplace has been defined as $ exual harassment at workplace.

Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Neelam KC said although the Supreme Court had directed the government to formulate and enforce the Act against workplace $ exual harassment some 11 years ago, the government encountered various difficulties and obstructions to implement the court order. But, finally the act has come into force, she said.