Latest news with #POSH)Act
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Raise voice against sexual harassment: Pravati
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Wednesday urged working women to fearlessly raise their voice against sexual harassment at workplaces and fight for their rights. Speaking at an orientation programme on POSH Act (2013) at the State secretariat, Lok Seva Bhawan, Parida said, 'Sexual harassment is not a stigma or taboo. If we remain silent, we empower the harasser. Saying 'no' is your right—use it. The government stands firmly with victims.' Parida, the only woman minister in the Mohan Charan Majhi-led BJP government, also heads the Women and Child Development department. She addressed over 600 government employees, both men and women, at the session designed to raise awareness on Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act. Emphasising institutional accountability, she said, 'Strict directives have been issued to set up Internal Committees in all institutions and colleges to ensure proper implementation of the Act. Action will be taken against both offenders and those making false accusations.' Parida has been the target of the Opposition BJD and Congress over a brutal attack on a 15-year-old girl in Balanga, under her Nimapara constituency, who was set ablaze by unidentified assailants. Taking aim at the previous BJD regime, Parida said the POSH Act had been neglected since its introduction in 2013. The orientation programme was attended by renowned lawyer Manasi Padhi, who delivered a detailed presentation on the POSH Act during two dedicated sessions. She explained the provisions, rights, responsibilities and redressal mechanisms under the Act in depth. Opposition BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty, however, in an X post said, 'The Deputy Chief Minister must ensure that when a victim speaks, it is not met with institutional silence from the government or her party. Justice should not end with video messages, it must be delivered in action.' He cited the case of a student from FM College, Balasore, who reportedly faced harassment but failed to get justice due to delays and inaction by the college ICC, police and political leaders. 'The common people, along with Opposition parties, are now fighting for justice for our sister. Meanwhile, a minor girl from the area represented by Madam Pravati Parida, was set ablaze and is now fighting for her life,' Mohanty said in the social media post, adding that across Odisha, incidents of sexual harassment are being reported almost daily due to the breakdown of law and order under the BJP government. Meanwhile, in a post on X, Parida, who flew to Delhi after addressing the programme, said: 'I met the victim from Balanga, who is undergoing treatment at Delhi AIIMS. She hails from my constituency. I spoke to her family and relatives. During this visit, I discussed her health condition and treatment with the medical team and specialists providing her care. I pray to the Almighty that she recovers quickly.'
News18
7 days ago
- News18
NCW chief Rahatkar calls for effective implementation of POSH Act in Maharashtra
Agency: Thane, Jul 18 (PTI) National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Friday called upon all stakeholders to ensure the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment at Workplace (POSH) Act is implemented across Maharashtra 'not merely in letter but in spirit". She was speaking at a one-day training workshop organized at the District Planning Committee Hall for chairpersons of internal committees constituted under the POSH Act. The event was also attended by senior officials from the district administration, law enforcement, women and child development department. 'Let us all resolve together that Maharashtra will work for the respect of women and implement the law in such a way that it ensures real protection and justice at the workplace. The POSH Act applies equally to all workplaces, and its implementation is not optional. This committee has the powers of a civil court. Yet in many offices, it is inactive. Such negligence defeats the purpose of the Act," she said. Internal committees (ICs) must function actively and hold quarterly meetings to address grievances and build a safer working environment, while all complaints must be investigated impartially and confidentially, and resolutions must emerge through dialogue and cooperation, Rahatkar said. view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 23:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Society needs more men to speak up on issues of violence against women, says DIG Ajeetha Begum
Haritha V Kumar, in her address highlighted the steps taken by the state government to strengthen internal mechanisms, stating that all 95 government departments in Kerala now have IC in place under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act. 'With the launch of the POSH Portal, we are now urging private sector companies to register their IC details. We have recently conducted a training session for stakeholders in the film industry, and a similar initiative is being planned for the television sector,' she said. Speaking at the event, DIG Ajeetha Begum, stressed the need for broader engagement. 'We need more men to speak up on issues of violence against women. In Kerala, around 18,000 cases related to violence against women are registered annually. Each district has only one protection officer who often handles over 600 cases. While our legal framework is strong, low conviction rates remain a concern. The rise in reporting, however, is a positive development,' she noted. Jeanne Briganti, Public Affairs Officer at the U S consulate general in Chennai, addressed the gathering virtually. She said, 'Through partnerships and knowledge exchange, the United States continues to support global initiatives that empower women and protect families.'
Hindustan Times
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
A wake-up call from Odisha
The death of a college student in Odisha after she set herself on fire — over alleged sexual harassment by her professor and the inaction of the college administration — puts sexual violence on campuses in the spotlight yet again. Higher education regulator UGC has announced a probe, and the Opposition in the state has called for a bandh on Thursday. Having failed to act promptly, the state government and the college administration must now ensure that the probe is completed quickly with due rigour and accountability fixed for violations and lapses established by the probe. The tragic end to the young woman's life offers at least two takeaways for the government, college authorities, and society at large, on curbing sexual violence. One, complaints about harassment must be heard with empathy and responded to immediately — more so in places of learning that are viewed as laboratories of societal change. The tendency is often for the authorities to back the faculty/staff member facing allegations — from caste-related complaints to sexual harassment — and silence the complainant. A thorough probe can ascertain or refute guilt, but the complaint should be acted upon immediately, and necessary counsel provided to the complainant. The process has been laid out in several legal provisions on sexual harassment, including the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, but their implementation is often tardy — deliberate or otherwise — and sometimes the response is even hostile. Timely intervention can save lives, as the Odisha incident shows — the young woman's act was undoubtedly one of untold despair when relief didn't seem forthcoming. Second, the trust between the student and the teacher is fraying for a host of reasons. There is a certain power dynamic embedded in this relationship, as underlined by the MeToo list some years ago. Hence, clear red lines must be drawn so that people at one end are aware of their rights and those at the other, of their responsibilities. Most college students are fresh out of their teens, staying away from home, and emotionally vulnerable; guardrails are necessary so that this situation is not exploited by faculty and other staff at educational institutions. A bigger challenge is to ensure that the trust between the faculty and the student community on campuses is restored.
The Print
09-07-2025
- The Print
J-K Police launches initiative for women's safety, empowerment in Chenab valley region
He said a three-day capacity-building programme, held in collaboration with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, trained 95 women police personnel in gender sensitization, effective complaint handling, and community engagement strategies. Structured around the three pillars of prevention, response, and empowerment, the initiative under the leadership of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban (DKR) Range, Shridhar Patil has already shown measurable impact on the ground, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, a police spokesperson said. Jammu, Jul 9 (PTI) In a move to strengthen women's safety and public confidence in policing, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has launched 'Bharosa' – a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing the under-reporting of crimes and enhancing awareness of women's rights in Chenab valley region, an official said. As part of its extensive outreach efforts, 94 awareness programmes have been conducted, benefiting over 4,400 individuals, the spokesperson said. He said the response mechanisms have been strengthened through the 24×7 Women Helpline (112), JK Police eCOP app, and rapid response teams. On the empowerment front, more than 4,700 people have gained from cyber awareness and legal aid initiatives, he said. In a significant step, the spokesperson said police officials are also reaching remote areas to educate people, especially women, about their legal rights, delivering awareness directly at their doorsteps. The initiative has led to a notable increase in crime reporting, improved public trust in police services, and the adoption of advanced technology, including AI-powered surveillance and GPS-enabled patrols, the spokesperson said. He said it has also ushered in critical reforms such as digitized FIR systems, e-FIR facility, Standard Operating Procedures for crimes against women, and the enforcement of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act. 'Bharosa' is a result of collaborative efforts among law enforcement, civil society, government agencies, educational institutions, and local communities, and reflects the Police's steadfast commitment to creating a safer, more inclusive, and just environment for women across the region. PTI TAS NB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
