Beyond the Boardroom: Women Share Their Stories of Workplace Harassment

Mental, physical, and emotional harassment at workplaces has become an epidemic that affects the careers and lives of countless women. From the subtle put-downs and microaggressions to the overt bullying and abuse, our conversations with the working women across industries and hierarchies unveiled a disturbing picture of a system that sustains sexism, marginalisation, and exploitation despite all the ‘modern’ we get.

According to an ILO survey, one in five employed individuals globally have endured physical, psychological or sexual misconduct at the workplace. Women are particularly vulnerable; 8.2% of women have experienced sexual violence and harassment, compared to 5% of men.Moreover, nearly 18%,or 583 million people,report psychological harassment, making it the most prevalent form worldwide

In that light, we bring you some chilling stories and anecdotes of women who have unfortunately experienced such incidents, along with insights from some female leaders who talk about how we can create a safe environment for fellow ladies. We will also talk about how most of the women are criminalised even when they are the victims in contrast to the men or maybe just seniors who mostly emerge scratchless when something as hideous as this happens.

Personal Experiences Of Women With Harassment At Workplace

Anuradha, in her 30s, who works at a media house, shared an incident from the initial days of her career. She stated,“"There was this guy from another team at my previous office and we would often had to work together. He would always make some snide comments and flirt with me despite being married and me making it very clear that I wasn’t interested in building any kind of personal relationship with him. For a while, I thought he would eventually back off but after being in that company for months, his comments got even filthier and his behaviour got intrusive and intolerable.”

"I was so scared to tell people of the incident in the beginning. But, I speak up whenever I am wronged. (So) I told my manager, who was also a woman, about how I felt and she asked me to ignore and complain to the HR department if something major happened. But why should I wait for something to happen? I felt uncomfortable and he should back off, end of the story. So one day, I confronted him and told him to maintain his distance from me and behave professionally," she shared.

“Ultimately, the flirting stopped, but I believe, only because I spoke up. Don’t wait for something horrible and big to happen. If you are uncomfortable, make sure that person knows. Speak up because it WILL make a difference,” she emphasised.

Shreya Johri, a PR Associate, shared, “My first job after graduation was supposed to be a new beginning, but it turned into a difficult experience. My reporting manager started making me uncomfortable with flirty remarks and indirect advances. Since this was my first job, I was scared and unsure how to deal with it. On top of that, I was the only earning member of my family, with my mother at home and no elder around to guide me. I feared that speaking up would affect my job, family, and reputation. Because of a lack of reaction or response from my end, he started treating me even worse.”

“He would unnecessarily point out mistakes in my work and put me down in front of my colleagues. It mentally drained me! I felt unsafe, uncomfortable, and stuck. Reporting it didn’t feel like an option because the senior management, led by a woman, was also not supportive. I left that place within two months, but before I did, I reported what happened, but as suspected, nothing changed because ‘he was too important to the company.’ He still works there. From personal experience, I know that sometimes, when you’re responsible for getting money home, you get stuck in horrible jobs for financial stability, you endure things you shouldn’t have to. The hardest part is giving your 100% or even doing everything right doesn’t help you avoid such harassing situations,” she mentioned.

Seema Gandhi, founder of Kacko lifestyle, said, “Women facing harassment at workplaces is not a new phenomenon. However, thanks to the information media and exposure society has at its disposal today, the intensity of this conversation has caught the attention of the masses. The deeply rooted misogynistic impulses and patriarchy play a major role in victimising women even when atrocities are committed against them in workplaces.”

“I have experienced workplace harassment myself and know the deep pain, anxiety, and psychological trauma it brings. The need to address these issues holistically couldn't be overemphasised as it is hollowing out our society from the inside,” she added.

Anjaleka Kripalani, an Interior Architect and founder of Angie Homes, shared her experience working as an interior designer and that too in a male-dominated domain. “It has made me realise that harassment is not just physical but verbal, mental, and emotional too. In my profession, I meet several male clients and I expect them to create a safe place where I feel empowered while delivering my ideas. When I started my career, the industry was much more rigid and male-dominated, but I ensured that my ideas were never suppressed and instead they made a difference. For young female entrepreneurs, I advise them to never feel suppressed by anybody, male or female. They should be able to voice out if they face harassment and ensure that their voices are heard and respected,” shared Kripalani.

How Can We Ensure A Safe Working Environment For Women?

Meghna Mittal, Co-Founder & CRO of Hoopr, said, “Workplace harassment, psychological, physical, or emotional, is not an isolated incident; it’s a system issue that tends to get brushed under the carpet. Victims often risk being labeled, ostracised, and even having their professional lives cut short. This imbalance makes many keep quiet, opting to suffer rather than receive backlash.”

“One thing we should understand is that it’s not just about having policies on the books, it’s about creating a culture of support and accountability. When a woman speaks up, organisations need to move equitably. That involves an impartial investigation, imposing consequences where necessary, reiterating a zero-tolerance policy, and most importantly, ensuring she feels heard and safe. It's not about playing by the rulebook; it's about making sure no one has to work in suppression,” she added.

Meghna concluded, “Actual change happens when companies foster a culture where women can safely speak up, where their warnings are not discounted as ‘overreactions,’ and where responsibility is the expectation for all employees, not based on gender. Only then can we establish workplaces that are just, inclusive, and safe for everyone.”

“Freedom for a woman exists only if she feels safe enough to move around freely. An unsafe environment is an invisible cage for a woman's free movement. As writers, we have a calling to create a world with our words where women are given dignity,” shared philanthropist and author, Nelofar Currimbhoy.

“A workplace should be a space of dignity, respect, and opportunity—not one where women fear speaking up about harassment. Yet, too often, when a woman raises her voice, she is met with skepticism, blame, or even professional repercussions, while perpetrators walk free. This isn’t just a failure of policy—it’s a failure of culture,” said Dr Rennie Joyy, Founder of Aalekh Foundation.

She continued, “Equality at work isn’t just about hiring more women; it’s about ensuring that they are safe, heard, and supported. When accountability is selective, it sends a dangerous message: that power, not truth, determines justice. A real commitment to equality means building systems where speaking out does not come at the cost of a woman’s career.”

“I feel that in a male-dominated society, women often forget their strength, viewing themselves as weak and helpless. Women must recognise their inherent power and take proactive steps. Acting decisively and without fear at the right moment is key to preventing future challenges,” said the International Bharatnatyam Artist, Apeksha Niranjan.

“As a social activist, I believe we should work towards promoting stringent legal reforms and ensure that investigations against harassment should be unbiased. Victims should be psychologically supported and we should make sure to push for establishing support services to address the mental and emotional toll,” shared Social Activist Raka Bhal, Founder of Angaja Foundation.

Yukti Nagpal, Director of Gulshan Group, shared, “At Gulshan Group, we are proactively fostering an environment where women can thrive, lead, and shape the future of real estate. Our leadership and mentorship programs are designed to provide the right guidance and opportunities for young women professionals, ensuring they have strong role models to look up to. This initiative is not just about compliance—it’s about commitment. A commitment to equity, to breaking barriers, and to nurturing an organisation where every individual, regardless of gender, has an equal chance to succeed.”

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