26th June 2026 | Issue No. 139

The Equilibrio Gazette

A brief buletin 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.

26th June 2026 | Issue No. 139

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars! In this section, we highlight an upcoming event you won't want to miss.

How do we recognize signs of child sexual abuse? What are our responsibilities when we suspect it? How do we respond and report appropriately?
 
Our Full-Day POCSO Certification Training is back- a comprehensive learning experience on child protection, reporting responsibilities, and the POCSO Act.
 
Join Adv. Sana Hakim and Samriti Makkar Midha for an in-depth session designed to build awareness and strengthen safeguarding practices.
 
📅 26 July 2026
💻 Online
 
Early Bird Discount available till 30 June.

In the Spotlight!

Explore ways to build your knowledge and capacity with our team of in-house experts!

This month’s IC monthly meeting brought together members from our verticals Poshequili & Inclusion at Work for a meaningful discussion on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026 and its impact on POSH inquiries. Facilitators Usri Basistha and Shambhavi Rai explored legal intersections, trans inclusion, and best practices for safer workplaces.
We asked: When you’re going through something difficult, who do you actually talk to?
 
43% said: “Honestly, no one.”
 
Struggling alone is often normalized, but silence doesn’t have to be the default. You don’t need to wait for a crisis to seek support.
 
Therapy is not just for when things fall apart – it’s also for understanding yourself and building healthier patterns.
Transitioning is a deeply personal journey for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals a process of affirming one’s gender identity and living authentically.
 
At Equilibrio Advisory, our Allyship e-modules help build awareness, empathy, and understanding of LGBTQIA+ experiences, enabling individuals to become more informed and supportive allies.

Stay Current!

~ Spotlighting Landmark Judgments since passing of the Law!

I - LEGAL UPDATES

The Bombay High Court held that a shared public autorickshaw used for commuting to work does not constitute a “workplace” under the POSH Act. Clarifying that the Act covers transportation only when it is provided by the employer, the Court ruled that the Internal Committee lacked jurisdiction to inquire into the complaint and quashed the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the employee, while leaving other legal remedies unaffected.

In a significant move to strengthen workplace safety for women, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued a nationwide advisory directing States and Union Territories to ensure stricter implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act). The advisory introduces enhanced compliance and monitoring measures aimed at improving institutional accountability, promoting effective grievance redressal, and fostering safer, gender-sensitive workplaces across both the organised and unorganised sectors.

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that while a minor’s consent is legally irrelevant under the POCSO Act, the factual circumstances of a consensual adolescent relationship may be considered when deciding a bail application. Observing that the prosecutrix had voluntarily accompanied the accused and that key witnesses had already been examined, the Court granted bail, noting that the risk of witness intimidation or evidence tampering was minimal.

II - Exploring Intersections

It’s #LearningDisabilityWeek! 🧠
 
This week, we’re raising awareness about learning differences and the importance of creating inclusive, supportive environments. Understanding learning disabilities helps us move beyond misconceptions and build spaces where individuals feel confident, empowered, and valued.
 
Let’s celebrate neurodiversity and work towards a more accessible world for all.

Engage with us!

Here's your weekly food for thought through a Fun Fact or Quiz.

Did you know that Nepal’s Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling on June 18, 2026, directing the government to guarantee equal marriage rights for LGBTQIA+ people? This follows years of legal battles and interim measures that allowed temporary same-sex marriage registration and marks a defining moment not just for Nepal, but for all of South Asia.
 
In a region where queer couples still fight daily for paperwork, dignity, and basic legal recognition, this ruling carries profound weight. It is sobering to know that love still needs a courtroom to be believed, but every step that brings the law closer to equality is history worth celebrating. Nepal has shown the rest of South Asia that change is possible.
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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:
What made Sally Ride a queer icon beyond her astronaut legacy?
 
Answer:
On June 18, 1983, Sally Ride made history as the first American woman in space but behind that trailblazing public legacy was a love story the world wouldn’t know for decades. A physicist, athlete, and scientist, Ride spent 27 years with Dr. Tam O’Shaughnessy a science educator, author, and former tennis player. They kept their relationship private throughout Ride’s lifetime.
 
The two first met as young tennis players in Southern California, and went on to co-found Sally Ride Science in 2001 and co-author six children’s books on space and climate. Only after Ride’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2012  O’Shaughnessy’s obituary revealed their bond for the world to learn their full story.
 
Ride likely kept her relationship private for good reason in an era when homophobia could have cost her everything she had worked for, including her standing as an astronaut and role model. Her legacy belongs equally to space history, women’s history, and queer history.
Here’s all the tools you need to build safe and equitable workspaces! Drop us a Hey, to get started!

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