Should the POSH Committee's Leader Be Female for Better Handling of Harassment Cases?

Should the presiding officer of POSH be a female?

The question of whether the presiding officer of the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee should be a female is a valid consideration. It is essential to ensure diversity and inclusivity in leadership roles to represent different perspectives and experiences effectively. While gender should not be the sole factor in selecting a presiding officer, having a female leader can bring unique insights and empathy to handling sexual harassment cases. Ultimately, the most important criteria for selecting the presiding officer should be their competence, impartiality, and commitment to upholding the POSH guidelines.

Yes, the Presiding Officer of an Internal Committee under the POSH Act should be a senior woman for addressing Sexual Harassment Complaints in an organization.

Reasons for a Female Presiding Officer

This approach is important for several reasons:

1. To ensure complaints are addressed promptly.
2. To encourage women to come forward when they experience sexual harassment.
3. To ensure the inquiry process is conducted in the right direction.
4. To ensure that both the complainant and respondent are respected.

Chapter 2 of the POSH Act 2013

Chapter 2 of the POSH Act 2013 is very clear on the subject. The composition of the committee is spelled out—it has to be a lady.

Col. Suresh Rathi

The Role of the Presiding Officer in POSH

As per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, the Internal Committee (IC) must be presided over by a female presiding officer. This provision aims to:
- Prevent biases
- Ensure prompt action is initiated on each case
- Provide support to the aggrieved and alleged victims
- Ensure a fair and sensitive inquiry process

Regards,
Amol Navkve