New Delhi, 19 June (H.S.): In a bid to ensure safe and dignified workplaces for women, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued a comprehensive advisory to all States and Union Territories, recommending key measures for the effective implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act).

According to the advisory issued by the Commission on Friday, all institutions employing 10 or more workers should be required to conduct an annual POSH audit to ensure compliance with the provisions of the law.

The Commission has also advised States and Union Territories to establish POSH Monitoring Cells or digital dashboards to regularly monitor compliance with the legislation. It has emphasized the need to ensure the constitution of Internal Committees (ICs) in all government departments, public sector undertakings, educational institutions, hospitals, and private establishments.

Additionally, the advisory recommends strengthening Local Committees to facilitate the redressal of complaints from women employed in the unorganised sector, domestic workers, and women working in small establishments where Internal Committees may not be mandatory.

The advisory further calls for the appointment of nodal officers at the block, tehsil, and municipal levels, the launch of awareness campaigns on the POSH Act, regular training of committee members, and safeguards to protect complainants from retaliation, harassment, or discrimination.

The Commission has also stressed the need to promote the use of the Central Government's She-Box portal and to ensure that information relating to the complaint mechanism and the constitution of committees is made publicly accessible.

NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said that there can be no compromise on the dignity and safety of women. She emphasized that every workplace must be safe, respectful, and provide equal opportunities for women.

The Commission stated that these measures would help foster a safe, inclusive, and gender-sensitive workplace culture across the country while ensuring the prevention of sexual harassment at workplaces and the effective redressal of complaints.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar