Chapter 22

Harassment covers a wide range of offensive or unwanted behavior in order to make other person uncomfortable. Most often women are the victims of harassment and the offenders are male. Harassment is a form of illegal and discrimination and all the human rights laws prohibit this act but ratio of the harassment is continuously increasing although laws are present in our society

There are many factors of harassment which varies from situation to situation. The most significant factor is our culture, values and the relative power and status of the men and women in our society. The way women and men are brought up in our society influences their behavior. Women usually lack the confidence because since childhood their behavior is customized to suffer silence and make compromises. On the other hand men are brought up exactly opposite to women. Such patriarchal view creates an atmosphere that allows men the freedom of sexual harassment in the workplace.

In recent years, social and political changes have brought the power game. Advancement of women in career, their independence at work threatened the men. So in the tough times men try to insist on sexual favors in exchange for benefits he can give out due to his position.

Harassment is a worldwide growing problem in every sector whether its government sector, private sector, schools or institute. Harassment hinders with people's educational path and career and productivity. The effects of harassment can be physical, emotional, and psychological. Harassment at workplace is deepening its roots which cause adverse effects to the growth of economy which leads to lower morale and low productivity, increase in absenteeism and employee turnover that cost a lot to any organization.