Sri Vijaya Puram, July 11: A sensitisation programme on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) at the workplace was conducted at G.B. Pant Hospital, Sri Vijaya Puram, on 10 July to strengthen awareness among healthcare professionals about legal safeguards, complaint mechanisms and workplace responsibilities under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
The programme brought together doctors, nursing officers, paramedical staff and other hospital employees as part of an initiative aimed at promoting a safe, respectful and inclusive working environment in one of the Islands’ largest public healthcare institutions.
The awareness programme was organised by Rights for All NGO in association with the Directorate of Health Services. It focused on familiarising employees with the provisions of the POSH Act, which provides a legal framework for preventing, prohibiting and addressing sexual harassment of women in workplaces.
The programme was inaugurated by the Director of Health Services and the Medical Superintendent of G.B. Pant Hospital. During the inaugural session, both officials stressed the need to maintain workplaces free from sexual harassment and highlighted the importance of fostering an environment based on dignity, equality and mutual respect.
The technical session was led by Rubina Siddiqui, POSH Consultant and Senior Subject Expert, who delivered a detailed presentation covering the legal provisions of the Act and its implementation in workplace settings.
The presentation explained different forms of workplace sexual harassment, preventive measures available under the law, and the rights and responsibilities of employees. Participants were also briefed on the complaint redressal mechanism prescribed under the Act and the role of the Internal Committee in receiving and addressing complaints of workplace sexual harassment.
The programme included an interactive question-and-answer session, allowing participants to seek clarification on legal provisions and discuss practical aspects related to the implementation of the POSH Act within healthcare institutions.
Officials said the sensitisation programme was intended to improve awareness among hospital employees about workplace rights and responsibilities while encouraging adherence to the legal framework governing prevention and redressal of sexual harassment.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to promote awareness of statutory workplace protections and strengthen institutional mechanisms designed to ensure a professional, safe and respectful work environment for employees in the healthcare sector.
