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New study on work against sexual harassment in Indian higher education institutions

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Several research studies in India show high rates of prevalence of gender based violence and sexual harassment in Indian higher education institutions. A new study contributes with new knowledge on the implementation and consequences of present policies and guidelines.

In India, post the enactment of the law on prevention and repatriation of sexual harassment of women at work (POSH) in 2013, governing bodies in higher education have issued several policies and guidelines. However, almost no empirical studies have explored the implementation and consequences of these initiatives. 

In the new study Moving beyond bureaucratic grey zones. Managing sexual harassment in Indian higher education, published in Higher Education, researchers Anamika Sinha at the Goa Institute of Management, Sattari, India and Fredrik Bondestam at the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research, University of Gothenburg, has been analyzing 15 Internal Committee* members narratives on how to achieve procedural and normative justice in cases received. 

The study contributes with pioneering knowledge, bridges an identified theory-policy-practice divide, and suggests an organizational development framework for prevention, prohibition and grievance handling of gender based violence and sexual harassment in higher education institutions in India. 

Moving beyond bureaucratic grey zones. Managing sexual harassment in Indian higher education, published 26 nov 2021 in Higher Education.
(The article can be accessed via login in GUP, Gothenburg University Library.)

*Since the POSH law in 2013, Internal Committees in workplaces is required in India, to receive and redress complaints of sexual harassment.