Gender Justice And Workplace Safety: Impact Of The Prevention Of Sexual Harassment Of Women At Workplace Act, 2013
- IJLLR Journal
- Sep 10
- 1 min read
Pranav Vir Singh, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
ABSTRACT
The Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, 2013, represents a watershed moment in India's legislative approach to gender justice and workplace safety. This comprehensive analysis examines the Act's implementation over the past decade, evaluating its effectiveness in creating safer work environments for women and addressing systemic barriers to gender equality. Through an examination of case law, empirical data, and comparative jurisprudence, this article identifies significant achievements in awareness generation and institutional mechanisms while highlighting persistent challenges in enforcement, compliance, and cultural transformation. The study reveals that while the POSH Act has established crucial legal frameworks and procedural safeguards, substantial gaps remain in addressing intersectional vulnerabilities, ensuring accountability in the informal sector, and achieving meaningful behavior change across diverse workplace contexts. Drawing from international best practices and emerging jurisprudential trends, this article proposes innovative reforms including enhanced digital complaint mechanisms, mandatory training programs, sector-specific implementation guidelines, and stronger penalties for non- compliance. The analysis concludes that realizing the Act's transformative potential requires sustained multi-stakeholder engagement, robust monitoring mechanisms, and a fundamental shift from compliance-oriented to culture-change approaches in organizational practices.
