The National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued an advisory to all states and Union Territories making annual audits under the POSH Act mandatory. The move is aimed at ensuring safer workplaces for women and strengthening compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
The advisory has been sent to chief secretaries, police chiefs, district magistrates, and other senior officials for enforcement at every level. It requires all establishments with 10 or more employees to conduct yearly audits covering internal committees, complaint handling, confidentiality safeguards, workplace safety infrastructure, awareness programmes, and use of the government’s SHe-Box platform. Audit reports must be submitted to district authorities, and failure to conduct audits will be treated as non-compliance.
States have been asked to set up POSH monitoring cells or digital dashboards, conduct periodic reviews, and appoint district officers as nodal authorities.
Internal committees must be properly formed in every office, with a woman presiding officer, external expert, and at least 50 per cent women representation.
Local committees must also be active to handle complaints from smaller establishments, domestic workers, and informal sectors.
The advisory stresses awareness and accessibility. Details of committees, nodal officers, complaint procedures, and grievance mechanisms must be displayed prominently in offices and online. Employers are expected to ensure timely inquiries, maintain confidentiality, submit annual reports, and conduct workshops and training.
The NCW has also directed institutions like universities, hospitals, and schools to strengthen compliance, given the vulnerability of students, interns, and contractual staff. District authorities must run awareness campaigns in rural and unorganised sectors.
The overall goal is to move beyond compliance and foster a zero-tolerance culture where every workplace in India becomes safe, inclusive, and empowering for women.
