Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, May 25: Karnataka State Women’s Commission chairperson Dr Nagalakshmi Chowdhary said that along with ensuring a safe working environment for women employed in government, private and other institutions in the district, the number of atrocities against women should be brought down to zero.
Dr Nagalakshmi Chowdhary was speaking after inaugurating a training programme on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), organised jointly by the Karnataka State Women’s Commission, Bengaluru, district administration, Zilla Panchayat, police department, and the Department of Women and Child Development, Udupi district, for members of local and internal complaints committees at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium in Rajathadri, Manipal.
Dr Nagalakshmi Chowdhary said that workplaces must provide women with a dignified environment. If women are able to work in a physically and mentally fear-free atmosphere, they will not carry stress back to their families. This would help them manage both family and professional responsibilities happily. She stressed that the POSH Act should not remain limited to files and documents but must be implemented effectively.
Dr Nagalakshmi noted that the number of crimes against women in the district is comparatively low and said that educationally advanced districts like Udupi should not allow such incidents to occur.
She urged women not to hesitate in filing complaints if they face harassment at their workplaces. She also said that officials have a crucial role in implementing the Act and must discharge their responsibilities without lapses.
“The core objective of this Act is to prevent sexual harassment and ensure a safe and respectful atmosphere for women at workplaces,” she said, adding that every department and private institution must compulsorily constitute Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) and make effective use of the She-Box platform for confidential complaint registration.
Dr Nagalakshmi further said that such training workshops related to women’s safety help protect the rights of women employees and promote equality at workplaces. Every woman should be aware of the laws and legal protections introduced for her safety, she added.
Dr Nagalakshmi also emphasised that officials from all departments must work in coordination to prevent crimes against women in the district. Any complaints related to violence or harassment against women should be addressed immediately and appropriate legal assistance must be provided.
Presiding over the programme, Zilla Panchayat CEO Prateek Bayal said that public awareness regarding the POSH Act, 2013, is still limited. Committee members should have proper understanding of how to handle complaints received by them. The knowledge gained through the training must be implemented at the grassroots level to ensure protection for women at workplaces, he said.
Resource person Aisha Singh delivered a detailed session on the constitution and functioning of the Local Complaints Committee (LCC) and Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the POSH Act, as well as the She-Box portal.
Deputy director of the Department of Women and Child Development Anuradha B Hadimane delivered the introductory remarks and welcomed the gathering. Development inspector of the Women Development Corporation Sangeetha M K compered the programme and proposed the vote of thanks.
Additional deputy commissioner Abid Gadyal, district labour officer Kamal Shah Altaf Ahmed, various district-level officials, members of local and internal complaints committees, and others were present at the event.