Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) across J&K, emphasizing the need for ensuring safe, secure and conducive work environments for women in both public and private sectors.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Home Department; Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir; Commissioner Secretary, Law Department; Secretary, Rural Development Department; Secretary, Transport Department; Managing Director, Mission Shakti; Joint Director, Information Department, besides other concerned officers
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary underscored the importance of implementing the provisions of the POSH Act and the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in their true letter and spirit. He directed the Social Welfare Department to devise a comprehensive implementation framework clearly delineating responsibilities at various levels to ensure that all workplaces are compliant with the provisions of the Act and remain safe and supportive spaces for women employees. Stressing the need for widespread awareness, Dulloo called for intensified outreach among women working in government departments, public institutions and private establishments regarding their rights, safeguards and grievance redressal mechanisms available under the Act.He also instructed the department to undertake extensive dissemination of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material related to the POSH Act, Women Helpline-181 and the SHe-Box portal at workplaces and through departmental websites to enhance awareness and accessibility of grievance redressal mechanisms. Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Sarmad Hafeez, highlighted the key provisions of the POSH Act and outlined the measures being undertaken for its effective implementation across the Union Territory.
Sarmad Hafeez further informed that all government departments and private establishments have been advised to prominently display details of Women Helpline-181 and the SHe-Box portal to facilitate easy access to support and complaint registration mechanisms for women employees.
