16th May 2025 | Issue No. 81

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.

16th May 2025 | Issue No. 81

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.

Upcoming Events

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

This month’s spotlight explores the mental health impact on Internal Committee members, focusing on stress, inquiry challenges, and support systems. As part of our monthly meeting, join us on May 30, 2025, for a session led by experts Rosanna Rodrigues and Lakshita Bhati, hosted by POSHequili and Equilibrio Advisory LLP. Join us to strengthen your support network.
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In the Spotlight!

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

With rising cases of child sexual abuse, understanding protections like the POCSO Act is more urgent than ever. Our new e-learning module offers essential legal insights and guidance. Head to our website to learn how you can support child safety.
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With global conflict and constant uncertainty, many are feeling anxious or overwhelmed. As we mark Mental Health Awareness Month, we ask: Have you made your mental health a priority lately? Head to our LinkedIn page to reflect and engage.
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Disaster preparedness efforts often overlook the needs of India’s 26 million persons with disabilities, leaving them vulnerable during crises. Inclusive planning is essential for effective response. Do you think other marginalized groups are also left out? Engage with our post.
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As IDAHOBIT approaches, Inclusion at Work reflects on the LGBTQIA+ community’s ongoing struggle against discrimination. Despite progress, challenges remain, including transphobia and anti-LGBTQ laws. Let’s honor their sacrifices and unite to end homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia for safer, equitable societies.
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Stay Current!

~ Spotlighting Landmark Judgments since passing of the Law!

I - LEGAL UPDATES

Poshequilli
The Bombay High Court upheld gang rape convictions, emphasizing that a woman’s sexual history or number of partners is irrelevant to consent. Rejecting the argument of implied consent from past intimacy, the Court affirmed that “No means No.” Sentences were reduced to 20 years considering mitigating factors, not innocence.
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Supreme Court held that unobstructed, accessible footpaths are part of the right to life under Article 21. It directed all states and UTs to frame disabled-friendly footpath guidelines within two months and mandated removal of encroachments and infrastructure compliance.
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The Himachal Pradesh High Court upheld disability rights by blocking the transfer of a visually impaired teacher to a “hard area” school. The teacher, with over 40% disability, argued the transfer violated the state’s policy and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The court ruled in favor of the teacher, ordering a stay on the transfer.
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II - Exploring Intersections

Appraisals can feel high-stakes, making it hard to open up about mental health. To truly support teams, conversations around wellbeing must happen regularly, in safe, judgment-free spaces. This requires thoughtful leadership, training, and consistent care. To read more, head to our website.
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Engage with us!

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

Did you know that homosexuality was categorized as a mental disorder, just two decades back? A lot of the stigma and bias against queer and trans persons have been rooted in obsolete medical views. For instance, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) included homosexuality until it was de-listed in 1973. Following suit the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases (ICD) in 1990. Additionally, all diagnoses related to trans-ness (e.g. “gender identity disorder”) were only removed from the ICD as recently as 2019. It is important to note that the tireless advocacy of LGBTQIA+ communities brought forth these significant changes.

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: Is conversion therapy illegal in India, and how does the law address its impact on individuals?

Answer: Yes, conversion therapy is illegal in India. The Tamil Nadu High Court, in a landmark judgment, ruled in 2021 that conversion therapy violates fundamental rights and mental health protections. It deemed the practice harmful, noting that it causes mental distress and can lead to potential long-term psychological damage. The Court emphasized that such practices undermine an individual’s mental wellbeing and must not be allowed under any circumstance.

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

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