POSH compliance must at every workplace: Women’s body chief

Renu Bhatia, chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women, today said that providing a safe working environment for women was the responsibility of every institution. She was in Ambala to attend an awareness event on women’s legal rights, the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and cybercrime, held at Kalpana Chawla Government Polytechnic for Women.

Addressing the students, Bhatia said the Commission organises programmes across Haryana to spread awareness about rights, protection from crime and cyber safety. “The primary purpose of these programmes is to prevent crimes before they occur,” she explained.

She stressed that “providing a safe working environment for women is the responsibility of every institution.” Under the POSH Act, it is mandatory to establish an Internal Complaints Committee at every workplace for impartial redressal of complaints.

Bhatia said the Commission’s awareness programmes had helped reduce crime while improving reporting and access to justice. Speaking to the press, she added, “I assumed charge as Chairperson in 2022 and received cases dating back several years. We are personally monitoring all cases. While some cases were sent to courts, others were resolved through mutual reconciliation. The Commission has been working to ensure justice for victims.”

Advocate Deepa Singh of the Punjab and Haryana High Court informed students about the POSH and POCSO Acts, noting that crimes against children were highly sensitive and carried severe punishment.