The Equilibrio Gazette
A brief bulletin for building safe workspaces!
This weekly newsletter is your gateway to staying current on relevant
laws (like POSH, POCSO, Transgender Persons Act, etc.) and the
psychosocial intersections that impact the workplace.
9th August 2024 | Issue No. 42
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars! In this section, we highlight an upcoming event you won't want to miss.
We launched our first ever DEIB
certification course this week!
Module 2 of this certification course –
Exploring forms of Violence (Gender
and Sexuality) – is coming up next
week and features the fabulous
Ashish Sawhny, as one of our guest
speakers.
In the Spotlight!
Explore ways to build your knowledge and capacity with our team of in-house experts!
In an engaging session on workplace
sexual harassment awareness, our
Co-founder Samriti Makkar Midha
collaborated with employees of the
Michael and Susan Dell Foundation’s
India office. We are proud to support
the Dell Foundation’s commitment to
fostering a culture of respect and
safety.
Super excited to announce the
successful launch of Level 1 of our
DEIB Certification Course – In this
Together – this week!!
We are amazed by the powerhouses
who are our participants, their
reflections and insights.
Leaving you with one of the
discussions points spotlighted during
the session by our facilitator Usri
Basistha (They/She):
“Can we truly move beyond the
gender binary? Can we start to
look at gender not as a binary but
as galaxies in a non-linear
universe?”
Rule 7(4) of the HIV and AIDS Rules,
2018 mandates that organizations
conduct annual training sessions for
all employees. This requirement
ensures that every staff member is
informed about HIV/AIDS, fostering a
supportive and knowledgeable
workplace environment. Regular
training helps promote awareness,
reduce stigma, and enhance
workplace safety.
The Paris 2024 Olympics highlight
extraordinary female athletes like
Vinesh Phogat, the first Indian
woman in a wrestling final, and
Imane Khelif, who faced transphobia
despite her achievements.
Meanwhile, Simone Biles, who won
silver, was criticized for prioritizing
mental health in 2021. These
examples underscore the ongoing
challenges in making sports truly
inclusive and equitable for women.
Stay Current!
~ Spotlighting Landmark Judgments since passing of the Law!
I - LEGAL UPDATES
The Punjab & Haryana High Court
criticized the misuse of sexual
harassment allegations, noting that
false claims impose psychological
burdens on the innocent. In a case
where a woman’s accusations
against her landlord were linked to a
rental dispute and a history of
numerous complaints, the Court
emphasized the need for careful
scrutiny to protect genuine victims
and prevent judicial misuse. The
Court dismissed her plea and
ordered a thorough investigation into
her claims.
The Bombay High Court is
considering framing guidelines to
protect prisoners’ mental health
following a death row convict’s
suicide due to alleged neglect. The
court, concerned about rising prison
suicides, has directed the
government of state to provide an
affidavit on mental health care
procedures. Guidelines will be
formulated based on the state’s
response.
The Allahabad High Court provided
relief to a trans woman from
Saharanpur who faced harassment
from other transgender individuals
claiming territorial rights. The court
affirmed her right to receive alms and
directed the District Magistrate to
address her complaint. The court
emphasized her entitlement to life
and dignity under the Indian
Constitution and ordered protection
from harassment and threats to
ensure her fundamental rights were
upheld.
II - Exploring Intersections
Psychological safety means
individuals can express ideas,
concerns, or mistakes without fear of
repercussions. This is crucial for
effective Diversity, Equity, Inclusion,
and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives, as it
enables diverse team members to
contribute authentically and access
support mechanisms. The
relationship between psychological
safety and DEIB is cyclical: safety
fosters inclusion, while DEIB
practices reinforce psychological
safety, enhancing team performance
and satisfaction.
Engage with us!
Here's your weekly food for thought through a Fun Fact or Quiz.
At the Paris Olympics, Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez and Azerbaijani archer
Yaylagul Ramazanova competed while pregnant, defying conventional views on
athletics and pregnancy. Hafez, seven months pregnant, and Ramazanova, sixand-a-half months pregnant, showcased that elite athletes can maintain high
performance during pregnancy. In 2016, the IOC recommended that pregnant
athletes can safely engage in aerobic activity with a maximum intensity of up to
90% VO2 max, reflecting a growing recognition of the feasibility of high-level
sport during pregnancy.
Have a burning question about POSH? Maybe Mental Health at Work, Child safety or DEI&B strategies? Drop us an email with your query and we would love to answer it, in all seriousness.
Curious Cat: How does the IOC protect athletes from harassment and abuse
during the Olympics?
Answer: The IOC ensures athlete protection through a comprehensive
framework developed with input from various commissions. This includes
implementing the IOC Code of Ethics and Safe Sport guidelines, appointing
accredited Welfare Officers, and providing dedicated Safe Sport areas in the
Olympic Village. The IOC also supports confidential reporting channels and
educational programs, ensuring a safe environment and swift response to any
incidents of harassment or abuse.
Here’s all the tools you need to build safe and equitable workspaces!
Drop us a Hey, to get started!
