Odisha Government Takes Strong Measures to Ensure Women's Safety in Workplaces
Government Directive for Women's Safety
Bhubaneswar: On Thursday, the Odisha government issued a directive to all departments aimed at enhancing the safety of women in workplaces across the state.
This initiative follows the tragic self-immolation of a college student, who took her life after authorities allegedly failed to act on her sexual harassment complaint against a faculty member.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja has communicated to all government entities the necessity of adhering to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
In his correspondence, Ahuja emphasized that enforcing the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act is crucial for creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive atmosphere for everyone, especially women.
He has mandated that department heads submit compliance reports regarding the action points to the Department of Women and Child Development within a 15-day timeframe.
Ahuja remarked, "Sexual harassment not only infringes on an individual's dignity and rights but also detracts from productivity, morale, and equal opportunities."
He further noted that by implementing the POSH Act, organizations fulfill their legal and ethical obligations to prevent, prohibit, and address harassment incidents.
This enforcement promotes accountability, encourages fear-free reporting, and fosters trust among employees, ultimately leading to a healthier and fairer work environment.
Ahuja has also recommended that department authorities establish Internal Committees (IC), enhance capacity building and awareness, ensure timely inquiries and resolutions, and maintain transparency and accountability in management.
"The head of the institution will be held personally accountable for the effective execution of the POSH Act and for any failures in protecting complainants and preventing retaliation," Ahuja stated.
He urged all administrative leaders to form or validate ICs and ensure monthly meetings for the next six months to raise awareness and momentum against sexual harassment in educational settings.
Following this period, ICs should convene quarterly as mandated by the Act.
Additionally, he instructed that grievance redressal mechanisms, such as the She-Box portal, along with IC details, should be prominently displayed in various locations within all institutions, and that regular awareness and capacity-building sessions for staff and students should be conducted.
Authorities are also expected to monitor compliance through regular inspections and require institutions to submit status updates.
The chief secretary advised college and school officials to frequently visit educational institutions and engage with students.
The incident that prompted these measures involved a second-year B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore, who tragically died at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar after setting herself on fire on July 12 due to inaction against a professor accused of sexual harassment.