Awareness programmes are being conducted at the grassroots level to ensure effective implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, Andhra Pradesh State Women’s Commission Chairperson Rayapati Shailaja said.

 

Addressing a POSH Training programme at the Nellore Collectorate today, she said organisations employing more than 10 women are required to constitute Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs). While 256 ICCs have been established in the district, many lack adequate understanding of the Act and its procedures, she noted.

 

Emphasising that the committees should not exist merely on paper, Ms Shailaja called for proper training of members to ensure effective redressal of complaints. Though the Act has been in force for over a decade, its implementation is yet to reach its full potential, she said, urging women to shed social stigma and come forward to report harassment. She added that the Centre has introduced the SHe-Box online platform to facilitate the filing of complaints.

 

Joint Collector Mogili Venkateswarlu said any form of indecent behaviour towards women is unacceptable and stressed the need to uphold dignity and ensure a safe working environment.

 

District officials and representatives of universities and private organisations were present.