Latest Edition Newsletter
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.
13th December 2024 | Issue No. 60
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars! In this section, we highlight an upcoming event you won't want to miss.
Usri Basistha (they/she), one of the facilitators for our DEIB Foundational Workshop, Introduction to DEIB Concepts, shared their insights on the need for DEIB practices. Usri shared how all organizations need to upgrade their work culture to accomodate the increasingly diverse work forces.
As the year ends, a specialized MOP session for Internal Committee (IC) members is scheduled for December 20th. It covers IC roles, complaint handling, inquiries, confidentiality, legal frameworks, and best practices for conciliation. Enhance your knowledge and ensure compliance with this focused session. Register Now
As the year ends and compliance deadlines approach, we’ve scheduled a tailored MOP session for December 20th specifically for employees. This session will cover topics like understanding sexual harassment, its types, complaint procedures, maintaining confidentiality, and fostering a safe work environment. Join us to enhance your awareness and contribute to a compliant workplace.
We are conducting a POCSO workshop on January 18, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM to enhance understanding of child sexual abuse and its legal framework under the POCSO Act. This full-day program, led by legal experts and professionals, will cover the prevalence of CSA, its psychological impact, relevant laws, and reporting mechanisms. Register now to gain crucial insights and contribute to protecting our children.
In the Spotlight!
Explore ways to build your knowledge and capacity with our team of in-house experts!
On 10th December, Equilibrio Advisory celebrated International Human Rights Day. There are several instances of exclusion and discrimination around us. So, we brought back the spotlight on the universal rights of every human being, to live with dignity irrespective of their identity.
Reflecting on the 11th anniversary of the POSH Act 2013 highlights the significant strides made in promoting safer workplaces for women. Enforced with the establishment of Internal Committees (IC), the Act has empowered employees to report and seek justice for sexual harassment. Over the past decade, there has been progress in creating awareness and instituting preventive measures, though challenges remain, such as inconsistent enforcement and cultural barriers within organizations. To learn more about these ongoing efforts and the future of POSH, click on the link.
Inclusion at Work, trained the spotlight on the vulnerabilities of gender minorities in conflict zones. There is an increased possibility of violence, and health issues in conflict zones. This can expose gender minorities, who are already susceptible to systemic issues, to greater risk. To know more, read here.
Under the POCSO Act, everyone—teachers, caregivers, and family members—are legally required to report any suspicion or knowledge of child sexual abuse within 24 hours. This mandatory reporting is crucial for immediate intervention and protection of child survivors, as it ensures that abuse is reported promptly, leading to timely legal action. To support organizations in meeting these requirements and fostering a culture of child protection, we offer comprehensive POCSO e-learning modules. These modules provide an in-depth understanding of child sexual abuse, legal definitions, and provisions under the POCSO Act. Empower your team with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively prevent and address child sexual abuse by booking a demo today!
Stay Current!
~ Spotlighting Landmark Judgments since passing of the Law!
I - LEGAL UPDATES
The Kerala High Court clarified that a conviction under Section 354 IPC requires proof of an act intended to outrage a woman’s modesty, as judged by reasonable societal standards. It quashed the conviction of a man for allegedly misbehaving with a school head teacher, citing insufficient evidence of such intent or action.
The Kerala High Court emphasized that the right and dignity are not only for women but also for men, granting anticipatory bail to Malayalam actor Mr. B in a sexual assault case despite a 17-year delay in filing the complaint. The Court’s decision highlighted the principle of fairness and the dignity of all individuals.
II - Exploring Intersections
Dalit, Bahujan and Adivasi women are often more likely to face more violence but less likely to receive the support of redressal structures. We looked into the nuance of the intersecting identities of gender and caste to examine the heightened risk of Gender Based Violence. To know more, read here.
The interpretation of marital rape under law has been a contested issue. Mental Health at Work looked into the law and the violation of a woman’s rights vis-a-vis marital rape. To know more, read here.
At the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, we examined the issue of Rape Culture. We looked at the narrative of victim blaming that rape culture perpetuates. We explored the need to be mindful about language while addressing or responding to gender based sexual violence. To know more, read here.
Engage with us!
Here's your weekly food for thought through a Fun Fact or Quiz.
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 can you respond if someone you know is having suicidal thoughts?
Here’s all the tools you need to build safe and equitable workspaces!
Drop us a Hey, to get started!
