Authorities in south China's Guangdong Province have agreed an amendment to
the law to provide women with better protection from sexual
harassment at work and at home.
The legislative body passed an amendment to regulations on how
to implement the Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of
Women, which will come into effect on Monday.
The law has been expanded from 23 clauses to 46 and provides
detailed guidelines on?domestic violations, sexual harassment
and women's employment.
"The legislators have introduced some constructive and inventive
measures to protect the rights and interests of women," You
Zhilong, a senior lawyer with Guangdong Geenen Law Office, said
yesterday.
For the first time the regulations define sexual harassment,
which includes inappropriate behavior and language, and
characterizations, pictures, images or digital information about
sex.
The regulations specify that companies and the administrations
of public places are responsibile for preventing and stopping
sexual harassment of women by creating an appropriate environment
and implementing a suitable investigation system for
complaints.
"A clear definition is vital for lawyers to collect evidence. It
will encourage women to protect their legal rights," You said.
Mental torture has also been identified as a kind of family
violence for the first time, alongside assault, restriction of
personal freedom and other forms of physical harm.
The amended regulations specify that government and
non-governmental organizations have a responsibility to accept
complaints, make investigations, collect evidence to stop family
violations and provide temporary shelters for victims.
The regulations also state offenders will be punished according
to the law.
"The local regulations highlight some hot issues and provide
countermeasures, which could better protect the rights and
interests of women," Zhao Donghua, chairwoman of the Guangdong
Women's Federation, said.
(China Daily September 25, 2007)