Two day National Awareness Programme on POSH Act begins at Vigyan Bhawan

Why in news

A two-day National Awareness Programme on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The programme aims to strengthen awareness and implementation of the POSH Act.

Exam relevance

GS1, GS2, GS4 · Society, Governance, Ethics · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. A two-day National Awareness Programme on the POSH Act, 2013 has commenced at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
2. The programme is organized by the National Commission for Women (NCW).
3. Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, was the Chief Guest.
4. The event aims to strengthen awareness and implementation of the POSH Act.
5. Participants include senior government officials, legal experts, representatives of Internal and Local Committees, and civil society organisations.
6. A booklet on Inquiry Procedures for Internal and Local Committees was released during the event.

Prelims pointers

• The POSH Act was enacted in 2013.
• The National Commission for Women (NCW) organizes awareness programmes on the POSH Act.
• Internal Committees (IC) and Local Committees (LC) are key bodies established under the POSH Act for redressal of grievances.
• Safe and dignified workplaces are considered fundamental to increasing women's participation in the workforce.

Mains practice question

Discuss the significance of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 in promoting gender equality and women's economic participation in India. What are the challenges in its effective implementation and what measures can be taken to address them?

Static linkage

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) is a significant piece of legislation in India aimed at protecting women from sexual harassment at their place of work. It mandates the establishment of Internal Committees (IC) in organizations with ten or more employees and Local Committees (LC) for unorganized sector employees and complaints against employers. The Act is crucial for ensuring gender equality and women's rights in the professional sphere.

Significance

The programme highlights the government's focus on ensuring safe and dignified workplaces for women, which is essential for increasing their participation in the workforce and achieving inclusive national development. Strengthening the implementation of the POSH Act is vital for addressing workplace harassment, promoting gender equality, and upholding women's right to work without fear. The involvement of various stakeholders underscores a multi-pronged approach to tackling this issue.