Goa CM Sawant says depts to have panels on sex harassment in 2 months

Margao: CM Pramod Sawant directed the chief secretary to issue a circular making internal committees on sexual harassment mandatory in all govt offices, including aided schools, under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act. Govt is also considering extending this mandate to industries and factories.

These committees will be established within the next two months, Sawant said on Friday, at an orientation programme on the POSH Act, 2013. This initiative will foster a positive work culture and help prevent crimes against women at workplaces, he said.

Linking the development to the Women’s Reservation Bill, Sawant highlighted how the new law ensuring 33% representation for women in policy-making would lead to a better understanding of women’s issues. “Unless women come into policy-making, we won’t understand the problems faced by women,” he said at the event organised by the Goa State Commission for Women.

The CM said it is important to maintain consistent behaviour towards women, both at home and at workplaces. He said that despite having a woman PM, the country waited 75 years since Independence for women’s reservation, crediting PM Modi for the achievement.

“ Goa govt is actively promoting women’s empowerment,” Sawant said and added that his administration is committed to gender equality at the workplace.