Hyderabad: The Hyderabad City Security Council (HCSC) has started a series of workshops to tackle sexual harassment in workplaces and communities. The first session is focused on educating members of Internal Committees from various organizations about the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013. The main goal of these workshops is to close the knowledge gap about the Act and help organizations implement it effectively.
The program was launched on August 27th at FTCCI, Surana Hall, Red Hills. The event was attended by important figures such as Smt. Shikha Goel, IPS, Director General of Women Safety, and Shri. Kothakota Sreenivasa Reddy, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad city, who is also the Chairman of HCSC. Other notable attendees included Smt. Vakati Karuna, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Telangana and Commissioner of Women and Child Development, and several other distinguished panelists and speakers.
The POSH Act requires all organizations to form Internal Committees to ensure a safe and secure environment for employees, particularly women. However, many companies still lack sufficient understanding of the Act’s provisions. These workshops aim to fill that gap by offering comprehensive training that covers legal aspects, psychological insights into the behavior of harassers, and a better understanding of the vulnerabilities faced by victims.
The first session saw over 100 participants from corporate organizations, showing a strong interest in better complying with and understanding the Act. While the response from the private sector was very positive, there is still a significant lack of awareness in government departments, which also play a crucial role in handling these issues.
Smt. Shikha Goel, IPS, Director General of Women Safety, who has been instrumental in initiatives like the Sahas Portal and SHE Teams, was a key figure in organizing the workshop. Her support has been vital in ensuring the workshop addresses critical areas of concern.
Shri. Kothakota Sreenivasa Reddy, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad city, and Chairman of HCSC, also expressed strong support for the workshops, recognizing their importance in light of recent workplace incidents.
The Women and Child Welfare Department also supported the workshop, with Smt. Vakati Karuna, IAS, serving as the Guest of Honor. The department has played a key role in implementing the POSH Act across the country and continues to work on improving understanding and compliance.
As part of this initiative, HCSC has also released 10 short videos on the topic of POSH. These videos are each about a minute long and are designed to raise awareness. They will be shown in public spaces, including cinemas, to reach a larger audience, especially women in unorganized sectors.
The workshop aims to create a platform for meaningful discussion and knowledge sharing, helping organizations and their employees better understand how to handle cases of sexual harassment and take preventive measures. The Federation of Telangana Chamber of Commerce and Industry supported this initiative by providing the venue and helping to gather participants.
HCSC plans to continue this educational series, with future sessions tailored to different groups and sectors. The Council hopes these workshops will significantly contribute to creating safer and more respectful workplaces.
This workshop was conceptualized by Secretary General Shri. C. Shekar Reddy and Joint Secretary Smt. Geeta Goti. They plan to continue working with various stakeholders to expand the reach and impact of the program.
In conclusion, the event was a great success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the HCSC secretariat, the distinguished speakers, and the panelists who shared their extensive expertise on the subject.
The Hyderabad City Security Council remains dedicated to empowering organizations and ensuring that the POSH Act is not only understood but effectively implemented across all sectors.
