Effectiveness of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 with Special Reference to the Banking Sector in Delhi NCR

Abstract

Sexual harassment in the workplace remains a persistent and underreported challenge, particularly in the private sector such as banking. This paper examines the effectiveness of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (PoSH Act) in safeguarding women employees within banks in the Delhi NCR region. Drawing from doctrinal legal research, judicial precedents, empirical data, and theoretical frameworks including learned helplessness and reactance theory, the study reveals gaps in awareness, enforcement, and institutional mechanisms. The research concludes that while significant strides have been made, more robust policy implementation, sensitization, and legal literacy are required to create truly safe workplaces.