Sri Vijaya Puram, November 4: Emphasising the need for safe, respectful and inclusive working environments, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, organised a sensitisation programme on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, commonly known as the POSH Act.
The programme was held on November 2 at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s office and was chaired by Additional District Magistrate Priyanka Kumari.
Rubina Khatib Siddiqui, Founder President of the NGO Rights for All, served as the resource person and delivered an informative presentation on the provisions, objectives and significance of the legislation.
The session focused on creating greater awareness among government officials and employees about workplace sexual harassment, the rights of women employees and the mechanisms available for addressing complaints. It also highlighted the responsibilities of institutions in preventing harassment and ensuring that workplaces remain safe and conducive to professional participation.
During the presentation, Siddiqui explained the key provisions of the POSH Act and emphasised that preventing workplace harassment requires more than the existence of a legal framework. Awareness of the law, understanding of individual responsibilities and effective institutional mechanisms are equally important in ensuring that employees can work without fear of discrimination or harassment.
The discussion also drew attention to the importance of creating an environment where women feel confident about reporting incidents and seeking redressal. Clear procedures, appropriate responses to complaints and awareness among employees are essential to ensuring that grievances are addressed through the prescribed legal mechanisms.
The POSH Act provides a framework for preventing and addressing sexual harassment at workplaces. It also places responsibilities on employers and institutions to establish mechanisms for receiving and resolving complaints, while promoting awareness of workplace rights and obligations.
The sensitisation programme sought to familiarise participating officials with these provisions and reinforce the importance of maintaining professional conduct and mutual respect within government offices.
Officers and staff from the offices of the Assistant Commissioner (South Andaman), Assistant Commissioner (Settlement) and Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, attended the session.
The participation of personnel from different administrative offices provided an opportunity to reinforce awareness across departments and encourage a common understanding of workplace safety and institutional accountability.
Workplace harassment can affect not only an individual’s dignity and professional confidence but also the overall working environment of an organisation. Ensuring that employees understand their rights and know where to seek assistance remains an important part of prevention.
The programme highlighted the administration’s emphasis on sensitising its personnel to the legal safeguards available under the POSH Act and the need to translate awareness into responsible workplace practices.
By bringing together administrative officials and an external resource person, the session sought to strengthen understanding of the law and encourage a culture in which dignity, equality and respect remain central to professional interactions.
