7th March 2025 | Issue No. 71

Illustration highlighting October as Mental Health Awareness Month in the workplace, featuring calming elements like plants and symbols of well-being, promoting stress management and emotional support among employees.

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.

7th March 2025 | Issue No. 71

Illustration highlighting October as Mental Health Awareness Month in the workplace, featuring calming elements like plants and symbols of well-being, promoting stress management and emotional support among employees.

In the Spotlight!

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

Samriti Makkar Midha, co-founder of Equilibrio Advisory LLP, was featured in The Mint Mumbai’s article “Stress Contagion: The Silent Office Epidemic.” She highlighted how stress spreads unconsciously and emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental well-being for healthy, supportive workplaces.

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We observed Zero Discrimination Day on March 1st, with the theme “We Stand Together,” emphasizing inclusion, compassion, and meaningful change. This day highlights the urgent need to address systemic inequities, workplace discrimination, and harassment, urging commitment to inclusive and safe environments for all.

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Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD), observed on March 1st, highlights non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behaviors, often used as coping mechanisms for emotional distress. It aims to challenge misconceptions, reduce stigma, and encourage support for those struggling with NSSI, fostering empathy and understanding.

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In March, during Women’s History Month, we celebrate iconic women’s contributions. Leila Seth, India’s first female Delhi High Court judge and later Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court, broke barriers in law. She advocated for gender laws and supported her queer son, Vikram Seth, as a true ally.
 
As International Women’s Day approaches, it’s crucial to recognize women’s right to live with dignity, access opportunities, and experience positive mental health. Bias, social expectations, and unpaid labor often hinder women’s self-care, leaving little space for their well-being. This Women’s Day, reflect on how you prioritize self-care and well-being.
 

Stay Current!

~ Spotlighting Landmark Judgments since passing of the Law!

I - LEGAL UPDATES

Poshequilli

The Delhi High Court upheld the conviction of a man convicted for sexual harassment on a public bus. The court highlighted that sexual harassment in public spaces remains a harsh reality, stressing that real empowerment starts with women’s freedom to move without fear. Public witnesses’ testimony was key in supporting the complainant’s version.

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The Kerala High Court emphasized that police must investigate both the complainant’s and accused’s versions in sexual harassment cases. It granted anticipatory bail to a petitioner accused of harassment, directing police to investigate both his complaint and the complainant’s allegations. The court also allowed action against false accusations.
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The Supreme Court mandated the creation of feeding and childcare rooms in public places to address breastfeeding stigma. It emphasized that nursing mothers should not face discrimination or discomfort while breastfeeding in public. The Court urged for the establishment of private, dignified spaces for mothers to nurse their children.
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II - Exploring Intersections

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court allowed the termination of a 28-week pregnancy of a mentally challenged minor sexual assault victim, citing her right to live free from mental and emotional trauma. The court emphasized the right to life under Article 21 and ordered necessary medical and post-operative care for the victim.

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The rise in student suicides in India highlights the failure of systems to support vulnerable students, especially those from marginalized communities. Discrimination, mental health stigma, and lack of support exacerbate their distress. It’s time to critically evaluate and implement inclusive, supportive measures for student well-being.
 
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President Trump’s executive order to cut US foreign aid by 90% has impacted global development, including the closure of Hyderabad’s Mitr Clinic, India’s first transgender health center. The clinic’s loss of USAID funding disrupts crucial healthcare for marginalized communities, emphasizing the need for sustainable, inclusive, local healthcare solutions.

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To understand, visit our LinkedIn page for a resource on the concept of consent. It highlights how legislative and judicial bodies consider factors like power, fear, and misuse when defining consent, aligning with sexual harassment definitions under POSH Law.
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Engage with us!

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

Did you know that the theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 is “Accelerate Action”? This theme emphasizes the urgent need for faster progress toward gender equality. According to the World Economic Forum, if current trends continue, it will take until 2158—roughly five generations—to achieve full gender parity. “Accelerate Action” calls for more decisive steps to overcome systemic barriers and biases, ensuring that meaningful change happens sooner rather than later for women and girls worldwide.

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: Why is prioritizing women’s mental health more important now and how can we support it?
 
Answer: With the rapid advancement of AI and digital technologies, women are increasingly vulnerable to online harassment, privacy violations, and gender-based violence, exacerbating mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression. These emerging risks, including cyberstalking and deepfakes, threaten women’s emotional well-being. To support women’s mental health, it’s crucial to promote secure digital environments, ensure access to mental health resources, and encourage societal awareness. Additionally, trans women face additional stressors, including digital misrepresentation and targeted harassment, further undermining their mental health.

Here’s all the tools you need to build safe and equitable workspaces!
Drop us a Hey, to get started!

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