Women employees to be sensitised on POSH Act, cybercrime: Renu Bhatia

Haryana State Commission for Women chairperson Renu Bhatia today said women working across state departments would be made aware of the POSH Act and cybercrime, so that “no untoward incidents happen with them.”

Addressing a press conference after a meeting with officers of 15 departments, Bhatia directed that Internal Committees under the POSH Act must be constituted within a month in schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, and industrial areas. “The names and contact numbers of the chairperson and members of these committees should be displayed on notice boards. If committees are not formed, there is a provision of Rs 50,000 fine and up to three years’ imprisonment,” she warned, adding that it is mandatory wherever more than 10 women are employed.

Highlighting the Commission’s outreach efforts, she said, “In the past three years, wherever the Commission has organised programmes, we have interacted with self-employed women and encouraged them to move forward. Feedback from women is also taken.”

To promote rural women in self-employment, Bhatia said officers of the Rural Development Department had been asked to provide opportunities as per women’s interests. She stressed that all departments must coordinate with the Commission to raise awareness about women’s rights and empowerment.

Departments have also been asked to submit details of welfare schemes and their beneficiaries. “This will help motivate other women through success stories of existing beneficiaries,” she said.

The chairperson further directed the Skill Development Department to offer specialised training in weaving to create fresh livelihood avenues for women.