Leh, December 31:
The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Leh, on Tuesday organised an awareness programme on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 at the District Court Complex, Leh.
The programme was attended by Sub Judge and Secretary, DLSA Leh, Wangail Tsering; Deputy Director of Prosecution, UT Ladakh, Tsering Phuntsog; Assistant Public Prosecutor Jigmet Phuntsog; Deputy Chief, Ladakh Autonomous District Council (LADC), Nema Stanzin; Advocate Phuntsog Stobgyal; members of the Bar Association, officials of the Social Welfare Department and District Child Protection Unit, court staff, and Para Legal Volunteers.
Advocate Phuntsog Stobgyal introduced the key provisions of the POSH Act, highlighting its objective to prevent sexual harassment at workplaces and ensure a safe and dignified working environment for women.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Director of Prosecution Tsering Phuntsog stressed the mandatory constitution of Internal Complaints Committees in all departments and the formation of Local Committees at the district level for effective implementation of the Act.
Sub Judge Wangail Tsering elaborated on the Act’s major provisions, including the definition of sexual harassment, the structure and role of Internal and Local Complaints Committees, complaint procedures, inquiry mechanisms, and reporting requirements. He explained the duties and powers of these committees in government and public institutions, citing relevant case laws and practical examples.
He also referred to the landmark 1997 Supreme Court judgment that laid the foundation for workplace sexual harassment guidelines, which later culminated in the enactment of the POSH Act, 2013.
