The department of Women Resource Development (WRD) organized a seminar on Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 (also called POSH Act) at its directorate in Meriema, Kohima on Tuesday.

Director WRD Nagaland, Vilone Sakhrie in his welcome address stated that the seminar was being held to sensitize the employees of the department about the provisions of the POSH Act and help in guiding any staff facing sexual harassment at the workplace to file complaints with the department’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).

He informed that the directorate has recently reconstituted its ICC for a period of three years consisting of four members headed by Women Resource Development Officer (WRDO) Pezavinuo Sharon Kire as the presiding officer.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

Resource person of the seminar, advocate Sunjib Rana explained how and why the POSH Act, a gender-specific law was enacted. He said the main objective of the Act is to prevent, prohibit and redressal of sexual harassment faced by women so as to ensure a safe working environment.

Highlighting the difference between sexual harassment and sexual assault, Rana said while the former is covered under the ICC, the latter comes under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (formerly Indian Penal Code). He pointed out that sexual assault results from not preventing or prohibiting sexual harassment.

The resource person also elaborated on how victims of sexual harassment at workplace can lodge complaints with the ICC, the period within which the ICC should take action, protection measures for the victims, the role of ICC etc.

Following the formal session, a brief interactive session was held where several staff of the department raised some queries in regard to the POSH Act and the resource person clarified their doubts.

The programme, chaired by ICC presiding officer Kire, was attended by both male and female staff of the directorate, all the ICC members and officials of the department.