Mangaluru: Mangaluru Tahsildar T Ramesh Babu has directed officials to establish Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) committees across all workplaces, including schools, colleges, gram panchayats and health centres, to ensure a safe working environment for women.
The direction was issued while presiding over a progress review meeting of various schemes under the Department of Women and Child Development held at the Mangaluru taluk office on Saturday.
Tahsildar stresses safe workplaces for women
During the meeting, Ramesh Babu instructed officials to take appropriate measures to constitute POSH committees in institutions under their jurisdiction. He said such committees play a vital role in preventing sexual harassment at workplaces and ensuring women have access to a safe and supportive work environment.
The initiative covers educational institutions, local self-government bodies, health centres and other public workplaces across Mangaluru taluk.
Review of women and child welfare schemes
The meeting reviewed the progress of several welfare schemes and statutory committees functioning under the Department of Women and Child Development.
Among the initiatives reviewed were the drug and addiction prohibition scheme, the Domestic Violence Prevention Act Committee, the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme Task Force, the Disabled Grievance Redressal Committee, the Anti-Human Trafficking Committee for Women and Children, the Child Marriage Prohibition Committee, the Child Protection Committee, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana committee.
Officials discussed the implementation status of these programmes and measures required to strengthen their effectiveness across the taluk.
Four domestic violence cases registered
Mangaluru Rural Child Development Project Officer Shaila K briefed the meeting on recent developments under the department.
She informed officials that four cases had been registered under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act within the Mangaluru rural limits during the past three months.
Of these, three cases are currently undergoing counselling, while appropriate legal and administrative procedures are being followed in the remaining case.
Shaila K also highlighted the department’s ongoing awareness campaigns against drug abuse and illegal drug sales.
She said awareness programmes are regularly conducted through Anganwadi workers’ zonal meetings, mothers’ meetings organised at Anganwadi centres and Stree Shakti group meetings to educate communities about the harmful effects of substance abuse.
Multi-departmental coordination emphasised
The review meeting underscored the importance of coordination among various government departments to strengthen the implementation of welfare programmes for women and children.
Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Mahesh Holla, Taluk Health Officer Dr Sujay, and officials from several other departments attended the meeting and reviewed the progress of ongoing schemes.
The administration reiterated its commitment to ensuring women’s safety, strengthening child protection mechanisms and improving awareness programmes across Mangaluru taluk.
Conclusion
The formation of POSH committees across workplaces is expected to strengthen institutional mechanisms for preventing sexual harassment while reinforcing women’s safety in educational institutions, public offices and healthcare facilities. The review meeting also highlighted continued efforts to address domestic violence, child protection and substance abuse through coordinated action by various departments.