New PoSH Compliance Advisory

State-Level POSH Monitoring Cells and Compliance Dashboards

In a major step towards institutional accountability, the Commission has advised all States and Union Territories to establish dedicated POSH Monitoring Cells or digital compliance dashboards to track implementation of the POSH Act. States have also been urged to conduct periodic reviews at senior administrative levels, facilitate capacity building, issue necessary guidance to establishments and district authorities, and ensure adherence to statutory obligations and judicial directions.

Mandatory Annual POSH Audits

The advisory recommends mandatory annual POSH audits for all establishments employing ten or more persons. The audits will assess legal compliance, functioning of Internal Committees, status of complaints, confidentiality safeguards, workplace safety infrastructure, awareness initiatives, mandatory disclosures and utilization of the SHe-Box platform. Audit reports are to be submitted to District Authorities and concerned departments, with non-conduct of audits being treated as non-compliance.

District-Level Accountability for Women's Safety

States and UTs have been advised to notify District Officers in every district under the POSH Act. District Officers will serve as the nodal authority for implementation, monitoring, awareness generation and grievance redressal at the district level.

Universal Constitution of Internal Committees

All Government Departments, PSUs, Boards, Corporations, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, Local Bodies, Statutory Authorities and establishments employing ten or more persons must constitute Internal Committees (ICs) in every office, branch and unit.

Ensuring Functional and Legally Compliant Internal Committees

The Commission has emphasized that every Internal Committee must be constituted strictly as per law, with a woman Presiding Officer, qualified members, an external expert and at least 50 percent women representation.

Strengthening Local Committees for the Unorganized Sector

Every district must ensure effective constitution and functioning of Local Committees to address complaints from women working in establishments with fewer than ten employees, domestic workers, informal sector workers and cases involving employers.

Nodal Officers for Last-Mile Access to Justice

District Authorities have been advised to appoint Nodal Officers at Block, Tehsil, Taluka, Ward and Municipality levels to facilitate complaint registration and ensure timely referral of cases to Local Committees.

Transparency Through Public Disclosure

Details of Internal Committees, Local Committees, Nodal Officers, complaint procedures, email IDs, contact numbers and online grievance mechanisms must be prominently displayed on websites and office premises to ensure accessibility and awareness.

Strict Compliance by All Employers

The advisory calls upon employers to ensure timely inquiry and disposal of complaints, maintain confidentiality, submit annual reports, conduct awareness programmes and implement recommendations of Internal and Local Committees in a time-bound manner.

Capacity Building and Sensitization

Regular workshops, seminars, awareness drives and orientation programmes have been recommended to promote gender-sensitive workplaces and improve understanding of the POSH Act among employees and management.

Professional Training for IC and LC Members

The Commission has emphasized specialized training for members of Internal and Local Committees to ensure fair, sensitive and legally sound inquiry processes.

Effective Utilization of SHe-Box

All institutions have been encouraged to promote awareness and use of the Government of India's SHe-Box platform for online registration, tracking and monitoring of workplace sexual harassment complaints.

Strengthening Annual Reporting Compliance

All establishments have been directed to submit annual reports under the POSH Act, while States have been advised to review consolidated reports periodically to assess compliance levels and identify gaps.

Protection Against Retaliation and Victimization

The advisory calls for robust safeguards to ensure that complainants, witnesses and committee members are protected from intimidation, discrimination, adverse transfers, professional prejudice or any form of retaliation.

Special Focus on Educational and Healthcare Institutions

Universities, colleges, schools, hostels, coaching centres, hospitals and medical establishments have been urged to strengthen POSH compliance mechanisms, considering the vulnerability of students, interns, trainees, research scholars and contractual personnel.

Awareness Campaigns in the Unorganized Sector

District Administrations have been encouraged to undertake large-scale awareness campaigns in rural areas, industrial clusters, self-help groups, domestic work sectors and other unorganized workplaces to ensure women are aware of their rights under the POSH Act.

Safer, Inclusive and Gender-Sensitive Workplaces

The Commission has advised organizations to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment and strengthen workplace safety through better infrastructure, adequate lighting, safe access, surveillance in common areas and emergency support mechanisms.

Active Monitoring by District Administrations

In a major step towards institutional accountability, the Commission has advised all States and Union Territories to establish dedicated POSH Monitoring Cells or digital compliance dashboards to track implementation of the POSH Act. States have also been urged to conduct periodic reviews at senior administrative levels, facilitate capacity building, issue necessary guidance to establishments and district authorities, and ensure adherence to statutory obligations and judicial directions.