REPORT ON SESSION ON POSH ACT, 2013

An awareness program on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 was conducted on February 4^th, 2026. The session was conducted by Adv. Emidio Desouza Pinho, Founder Member- SCAN. The event was organized by the Internal Committee (IC) of Don Bosco College of Engineering, chaired by Dr. Amrita Naik. It was attended by TE and BE students, and was graced by the presence of the Director, Rev. Fr. Wilfred Fernandes, Principal, Dr. Neena Panandikar and faculty members. The key objectives of the program were to create awareness about the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, to promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment, to educate students about preventive measures against sexual harassment and to inform participants about the redressal mechanisms and complaint procedures.

The event commenced with a formal welcome and introduction presented by Ms. Elaine Dias. At the onset, Adv. Emidio Pinho gave an overview of the Act (2013) and explained the purpose, scope, and importance of the Act in ensuring safety and dignity for women at the workplace. He further emphasized on creating awareness, maintaining professional boundaries, and fostering respectful behaviour to prevent incidents of harassment. The Redressal Mechanism and the role of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), procedure for filing complaints, timelines, and inquiry process were explained in detail. It was clarified that the Act primarily applies to workplaces as defined under the law and does not automatically extend to all public places unless linked to work-related activities. The session highlighted that the law is meant for protection and justice and should not be misused, as false or malicious complaints attract penalties similar to those imposed on proven offenders. The various forms of sexual harassment—physical, verbal, non-verbal, and Prevention and Prohibition visual—were discussed with examples for better understanding. The importance of facts, documentation, and protection of identities of all parties involved during the inquiry process was stressed, in accordance with legal confidentiality requirements. General guidance on personal safety, situational awareness, and lawful methods of safeguarding oneself was discussed, without encouraging unsafe or unlawful practices. The students gained a clear understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment  and an awareness was created about legal rights and duties in professional environments.

The awareness program on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 was informative and impactful. It successfully equipped the students with essential knowledge to navigate workplace environments responsibly and ethically. Such programs play a vital role in promoting dignity, equality, and safety in professional spaces and should be conducted regularly to strengthen awareness and compliance. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Elaine Dias, after which Rev. Fr. Wilfred Fernandes presented a memento to Adv. Pinho.