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The
Bengal chapter of the NWMI won a major victory
recently. On February 28, 2003, The Statesman
set up 4-member sexual harassment committees for
their Delhi and Kolkata offices. This decision
was a direct outcome of the courage shown by Rina
Mukherjee in protesting harassment by her boss,
Ishan Joshi, and a letter from the Bengal women
journalist network to the newspaper, demanding
that a committee be set up according to the Supreme
Court guidelines. Despite an offensive reply sent
by Mr Ravindra Kumar, ME of The Statesman to the
Network, the letter did work as a 'pressure point'
and he did concede (although not officially!)
to our demand a few days later.
The setting up of this committee is, of course,
not the end of all problems. However, it is a
part of a larger process of change. We hope this
will initiate greater debate and discussions and
more awareness about the issues. To make the committee
effective, colleagues will have to take on a more
proactive role. Otherwise, the committee will
become an ornamental piece. There are many organisations/individuals
who are working on this issue and journalists
can seek their help if needed.
Rina's and the Bengal Network's efforts are a
great moral booster for journalists in other media
houses too who are facing harassment in the workplace
and will, hopefully, give them the courage to
protest against sexual harassment . It is, indeed,
ironic that though the media writes on human rights
issues including sexual harassment, hardly any
of the media houses have complied with the Supreme
Court's directive.
An
update and some info
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The
Statesman, Kolkata/ Delhi has set
up Sexual Harassment Committee in late
February.
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Rina
Mukherjee has not been informed whether
her case is being investigated in Kolkata
office.
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Rina
had approached the State Women Commission,
West Bengal. The Commission has accepted
and taken up Rina's case.
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The
Statesman
address is :
The Statesman House,
4 Chowringhee square,
Kolkata 700 001
Fax (033) 2225 0118
You can write to the Editor/Managing
editor or Sajeda Momin (senior journalist
chairperson, sexual harassment committee)
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