SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday reviewed the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, and stressed the need for creating safe, secure and conducive work environments for women across Jammu and Kashmir.
Chairing a high-level meeting, the Chief Secretary directed departments to ensure effective implementation of the POSH Act and compliance with directions issued by the Supreme Court.
He asked the Social Welfare Department to formulate a comprehensive implementation framework clearly defining responsibilities at different levels to ensure that all workplaces remain compliant with the provisions of the Act.
Emphasising awareness generation, Dulloo called for intensified outreach programmes to educate women employed in government departments, public institutions and private establishments about their rights, safeguards and grievance redressal mechanisms available under the Act.
He also stressed the need for regular capacity-building programmes for District Nodal Officers, members of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) and other officials responsible for implementing the legislation.
The Chief Secretary directed the Law Department to facilitate legal literacy and awareness programmes through Legal Services Authorities and asked Mission Shakti to organise monthly Mahila Jan Sunwai programmes in all districts under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners, Senior Superintendents of Police and District Legal Services Authorities.
He further instructed departments to widely publicise information regarding the Women Helpline-181 and the SHe-Box grievance portal through workplaces and official websites to improve accessibility and awareness.
Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Sarmad Hafeez informed the meeting that Internal Complaints Committees have been constituted in government offices down to the tehsil and block levels. He said 978 institutions and workplaces employing women have been identified so far and emphasised the need for comprehensive mapping of all workplaces in accordance with the Act.
Hafeez said government departments and private establishments have been advised to prominently display details of Women Helpline-181 and the SHe-Box portal. He also announced plans for extensive awareness campaigns and capacity-building workshops in the coming months.
Mission Director, Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya, Rubina Kousar, informed the meeting that 2,826 government offices and 1,048 private establishments have so far been mapped on the designated portal. She said three complaints of workplace sexual harassment had been received and addressed in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
Kousar added that nodal officers have been designated in all districts and the process of identifying and mapping workplaces is continuing to ensure comprehensive coverage under the POSH framework.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the administration’s commitment to ensuring a safe, dignified and harassment-free work environment for women through effective implementation of the POSH Act and sustained awareness and capacity-building initiatives.
