Sexual harassment allegations made by women wrestlers: Wrestle with this

Source– The post is based on the article “Sexual harassment allegations made by women wrestlers: Wrestle with this” published in The Indian Express on 20th January 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Government policies and interventions

Relevance– Issues related to sports

News– The article explains the issues of sexual exploitation of sports women by people holding important positions in sports administration.

Recently, some sportswomen levelled charges of sexual harassment against President of Wrestling Federation of India.

What are issues faced in ensuring justice for sports women who face sexual exploitation from people in sports administration?

Indian sport is characterised by a dangerous combination of political nexus and male domination of positions of power. The authorities are taking advantage of their political might.

It is not easy to fight against the powerful political appointees and those who operate in their patronage. Most women athletes who raise their voice are forced to give up their careers.

The women sportsperson who have put their lives often does not have any second professional option as back-up and have little familial support. It makes them more vulnerable to exploitation at the hands of corrupt officials.

Redressal and grievance provisions for taking up the complaints of sports women have been absolutely ineffective. They have instilled zero confidence in women to come out and report their abuse.

There is victim blaming and shaming by the accused. Their political machinery combined with the social stigma associated with cases of sexual abuse make it extremely difficult for a lone victim to fight entire apparatus.

One important case is tennis player Ruchika Girhotra from 1990 who dared to raise her voice against the then president of tennis federation and IG Haryana Police.

What is the way forward to ensure justice for sportswomen who face sexual exploitation?

There is an immediate need to formulate an effective legal process that needs to be followed in cases of harassment of women sportspersons.

Committees against sexual harassment must be constituted at all sports’ departments, federations and government sports bodies right till the highest levels.

If due processes are not followed, the authorities must be held accountable.

It is incumbent on people of this country to show solidarity towards sports women in their tough fight