Step up Awareness on POSH Act at all Workplaces: Women’s Panel Chairperson

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Even after 12 years since the enactment of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace (POSH) Act, the awareness about the law is very limited among women employees in most establishments, Adv. P. Sathidevi, Kerala Women’s Commission Chairperson and former MP said here today.

Inaugurating an awareness programme on POSH Act jointly organized by Kerala Women’s Commission and for the IT employees and non-technical staff members of Technopark here, Adv Sathidevi made a strong pitch for setting up a monitoring system in every institution to ensure the safety of women employees.

The programme was organized as part of the Kerala Women’s Commission’s series of state-wide campaigns to enhance awareness about POSH Act 2013 that aims at protecting women from sexual harassment in the workplace.

“Women are victims to several kinds of exploitation, discrimination and harassment at home and workplace, and even while travelling. It is high time women became aware about this law and every institution should set up monitoring system to address the problems of female employees at workplace,” Adv. Sathidevi said.

Lauding Technopark on partnering for the awareness programme, she emphasized that all institutions and establishments should make such an initiative considering rising number of harassment cases that come before the Commission.

The Women’s Commission on its own will also conduct awareness classes in other IT Parks and shopping malls in the state.

Kadakampally Surendran, MLA, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said it is the responsibility of establishments to create a stress-free milieu at workplace, besides ensuring safety of female employees.

Noting that it is a great initiative by Kerala Women’s Commission, Technopark CEO Col Sanjeev Nair (Retd), who presided over the function, said the awareness campaign is vital for Technopark since the IT ecosystem has a strong participation of women.

Col Sanjeev Nair (Retd) said there is a redressal system (Internal Complaints Committee) at the Technopark for women to air and resolve their grievances, and they should show the courage to take a rigorous stance against any sort of harassment against them.

He emphasized that the awareness of POSH Act is equally important for male employees too, so that they understand gender sensitivity and interact with female colleagues in a dignified way.

Adv. Aneesha V L, Legal Cum Probation Officer, District Child Protection Unit, Thiruvananthapuram, presented the topic. N Divya, Project Officer, Kerala Women’s Commission, welcomed the gathering.

Kerala Women’s Commission Member Indira Ravindran; Director Shaji Sugunan, Law Officer K Chandrasobha; PRO S Santhosh Kumar and Research Officer A R Archana also spoke. Technopark staff and officials also attended the programme.