POSH Act National Awareness Programme Inaugurated at Vigyan Bhawan
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
A two-day national awareness programme on the POSH Act, 2013, was inaugurated at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, by Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi. The event aims to strengthen workplace safety, boost women's workforce participation, and promote inclusive national development.
Background
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) was enacted to protect women from sexual harassment at the workplace and provide a mechanism for redressal of complaints. The National Commission for Women (NCW) organized this programme to enhance awareness and implementation.
Key facts
Two-day national awareness programme on POSH Act inaugurated at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Organized by the National Commission for Women (NCW).
Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi was the chief guest.
Minister emphasized that safe, respectful, and inclusive workplaces are essential for women-led development.
She highlighted the collective responsibility of governments, employers, and institutions to create safe work environments.
A handbook on inquiry procedures for Internal Committees and Local Committees under the POSH Act was released.
The 'She-Box' portal was noted as a key digital platform for timely redressal of complaints.
Minister called for zero tolerance towards sexual harassment and urged fair, confidential, and empathetic inquiries.
Technical sessions covered key provisions of the POSH Act, rights of complainants and respondents, and inquiry procedures.
Prelims pointers
- POSH Act: Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
- National Commission for Women (NCW) – statutory body under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990
- She-Box portal – online complaint management system for workplace sexual harassment
- Internal Committee (IC) and Local Committee (LC) – bodies under POSH Act
- Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi – venue
- Ministry of Women and Child Development – nodal ministry
Mains angles
- GS2: Role of statutory bodies like NCW in safeguarding women's rights
- GS2: Government policies and interventions for women's safety and empowerment
- GS2: Issues related to women's workforce participation and workplace safety
- GS2: Effectiveness of the POSH Act in preventing sexual harassment
- GS2: Role of digital platforms like She-Box in grievance redressal