The Maharashtra State Women’s Commission has expressed its concerns over the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, AKA the PoSH Act. In order to address the ineffective implementation of the Act in the state, the commission has called for mandatory PoSH audits in every workplace.
Taking to X, Rupali Chakankar, the commission’s chairperson, addressed the issue through a video message. She shared her observations during her recent state-wide visits, claiming that while Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) have been constituted in many workplaces as mandated by the law, they often exist only on paper.
“There is a serious lack of awareness among committee members about their rights, responsibilities and the legal framework, leaving women employees feeling unsafe despite the existence of these committees,” Chakankar explained.
As such, the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission has submitted a proposal to the Minister for Women and Child Development. As per Chakankar, the proposal demands the issuance of a government resolution (GR) mandating regular audits of POSH compliance.
“A POSH audit should be treated with the same importance as a financial or fire safety audit,” Chakankar said, adding, “Such audits would ensure that workplaces are not only legally compliant but also provide a genuinely safe environment for women employees.”