Leh, Sept 01: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) of Leh organized an Awareness Program on Sexual Harassment at the Workplace at the Office of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) on August 30. This initiative aimed to educate participants about the legal frameworks in place to prevent and address sexual harassment in the workplace and to strengthen mechanisms that ensure a safe working environment.
The event brought together several key legal figures and stakeholders, including Advocate Nema Stanzin, Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel Leh; Advocate Phuntsog Stobgyal, Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel Leh; Mr. Mumtaz Hussain, Chairperson of the CWC; Mrs. Shela Khan, Member of the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB); and Mrs. Tashi Dolma, Member of the CWC. Also in attendance were staff members from the JJB, CWC, and DLSA, along with Para Legal Volunteers from DLSA Leh.
Advocate Nema Stanzin provided an insightful discussion on the Victim Compensation scheme under the Criminal Justice System. She offered practical advice on how individuals can safeguard themselves from harassment in the workplace and emphasized the critical importance of being aware of the legal recourse available to victims.
Advocate Phuntsog Stobgyal delivered a comprehensive overview of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act 2013, delving into key elements such as the definitions of sexual harassment, the complaint mechanism, and the role of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). He underscored that the POSH Act is vital legislation aimed at protecting employees from workplace sexual harassment and stressed the necessity for institutions to implement robust systems to address these issues effectively.
Mrs. Tashi Dolma highlighted the significant collaboration between the CWC and DLSA Leh, expressing optimism about ongoing joint efforts to combat workplace harassment and promote legal awareness within the community.
