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.
2nd August 2024 | Issue No. 41
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars! In this section, we highlight an upcoming event you won't want to miss.
We are excited! Not a week is left to go before our DEIB Certification Course “In This Together” goes live! Combining psychosocial historical context around diversity and inclusion with robust legal expertise surrounding the rights of protected groups, this course covers the affirmative and intersectional lens that DEIB praxis requires. Our facilitators and guest speakers come from a wide array of expertise and experience. Have you signed up yet? Don’t miss out on this chance to expand your worldview and skill sets. Register now!
POSHEquili is back with a two-day online workshop, on 30th and 31st of August. It will provide comprehensive training for IC Members. The workshop will cover an extensive array of facets related to POSH compliance including topics like IC Member Liability, Minor’s Complaint, experience of harrasment as a marginalized identity. The workshop will bring an intersectional lens to all these topics and more.
In the Spotlight!
Explore ways to build your knowledge and capacity with our team of in-house experts!
In our “POSH Around the World” series, we explore sexual harassment definitions globally. This week, we focus on the USA, where the Civil Rights Act of 1964 defines sexual harassment as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile work environment or affects employment decisions.
This week we are training the spotlight on our facilitators for the upcoming DEIB Certification Course. Our facilitators come from a diverse array of backgrounds, including psychotherapy, litigation, mental health wellbeing, social work, POSH external members and content creation. Their diverse lived experience will add nuance to the conversation around DEIB. Don’t miss out, read more here.
Stay Current!
~ Spotlighting Landmark Judgments since passing of the Law!
I - LEGAL UPDATES
The Calcutta High Court ruled that Section 354A of the IPC, which addresses sexual harassment, is inapplicable to female accused persons, as it specifies “a man.” The petitioner, a female, was accused of instigating torture and molestation but contested that the section did not apply to her and that evidence was insufficient. The court agreed, noting the charges lacked specific details and quashed the proceedings against her.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court introduced the “Shaurya Didi” initiative to support survivors of sexual offenses and address Stockholm syndrome through mentorship by female police officers. In a recent case, the court appointed a female mentor to guide a recovered girl, providing emotional support and encouragement for her reintegration into a stable and productive life.
The Kerala High Court held that while serious offenses under the POCSO Act are generally not quashed, it did so on humanitarian grounds in this case. The petitioners, charged with kidnapping and sexual assault, had settled the matter, with the victim married to the accused and living with him and their children. Considering the family’s well-being, the court quashed the proceedings to support their stability.
II - Exploring Intersections
This week we look at the need for building healthy and sustainable workplaces and how DEIB programs can help us create those frameworks. Our article explores the sociohistorical roots of diversity and inclusion programs and delves into the benefits and components of a well-rounded DEIB initiative. To know more, read here.
Engage with us!
Here's your weekly food for thought through a Fun Fact or Quiz.
The Paris 2024 Olympics introduced a groundbreaking first: a dedicated nursery for Olympic and Paralympic athletes who are parents. Launched by the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission, in partnership with the IOC and Paris 2024, the Village Nursery offered private spaces for breastfeeding, a family lounge, and changing stations. This pioneering facility was driven by athlete advocacy, including track star Allyson Felix’s efforts, and was sponsored by Pampers. The initiative represented a significant step towards supporting athletes balancing their careers with parenthood.
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 are the signs of voyeuristic behavior, and how can you protect yourself if you notice them in someone nearby?
Answer: Signs of voyeuristic behavior might include excessive or unusual interest in observing others, particularly in private settings. Individuals may go out of their way to view others undetected, such as using hidden cameras or intrusive methods. They might also exhibit an inappropriate fascination with surveillance technology. These behaviors often involve a disregard for others’ privacy and can manifest in both online and offline contexts. To protect yourself, maintain privacy by securing personal spaces, be vigilant of unusual behavior, and report suspicious activity to authorities. Avoid confronting the individual directly and seek support from professionals if you feel threatened.
Here’s all the tools you need to build safe and equitable workspaces!
Drop us a Hey, to get started!
