The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare announced the enforcement of the Act during a special program here today. The Act includes a provision whereby a victim shall file a complaint against the perpetrator before the office chief first and shall move the respective chief district officer for justice if no action is taken regarding the complaint within 15 days of registration of such complaint. Any person found guilty of committing sexual harassment as per the act can be slapped with six months in prison or a Rs 500,000 fine or both. Workplace activities motivated with sexual intent including eve-teasing with ill or sexual intent, physical touching with sexual intent, using or demonstrating or publishing sexual words, objects, pictures, audio-visual or other vulgar and seductive materials, proposing sexual activities at workplace have been defined as sexual harassment at workplace. Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Neelam KC said although the Supreme Court had directed the government to formulate and enforce the Act against workplace sexual harassment some 11 years ago, the government encountered difficulties and obstructions to implement the court order. But, finally, the Act has come into force, she said. Sexual harassment against women at the workplace is widespread and the Act is expected to help discourage and ultimately eradicate such crime. Stringent laws against every sort of violence against women are needed to empower women, she said, adding that the law against violence against women on the charge of witchery was in the process of formulation. Lawmaker Ranju Jha said only effective enforcement of the Act could meet its target, otherwise, it would be limited to papers, she said.