Multiple measures are needed to guard women against sexual harassment, says a commentary in Beijing Youth Daily. The following is an excerpt:

The provincial legislators of Hubei Province in Central China have just approved a regulation in which they set out a detailed definition of sexual harassment that should be punished.

According to the regulation, a sexual harassment case can be built if it happens in the form of physical contact, oral or written language, pictures, videos, short messages by cell phones and e-mails.

A similar regulation was endorsed in Shanghai in April.

The two local legislatures are way ahead of other provinces and regions in the protection of women's rights.

In a revision to the Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women in 2005, the country stated that sexual harassment was forbidden and the victims were entitled to complain to the courts or related departments.

Unfortunately, the law did not define harassment, nor did it say what kind of punishment should be meted out to violators.

Some women chose to keep quiet after they have been harassed because it is difficult to obtain sufficient evidence against the violators. And even if they win, most women get a mere oral apology instead of any financial compensation or see the culprit punished.

With a detailed definition, it is easier for the courts to make judgments. And apart from physical contact, all other forms of harassment are easy to track and prove.

Another important factor in protecting women from harassment is to motivate employers. According to information from the All-China Women's Federation, most cases of sexual harassment occur in the workplace and most victims are subordinates of the violators.

Companies should have special departments for dealing with harassment complaints and offer special programs and assistance to deter the practice.

(China Daily 07/31/2007 page10)