Roundtable Focuses on Safe and Inclusive Workplaces

The Confederation of Indian Industry–Indian Women Network (CII-IWN), Andhra Pradesh chapter, organised a state-level roundtable in Visakhapatnam under the theme of Safety, Dignity and Inclusion at the Workplace.

Representatives from various organisations and professional backgrounds participated in the discussion, sharing their experiences and perspectives on workplace challenges, existing policies and possible improvements.

The roundtable aimed to identify key priorities for workplace safety and inclusion while contributing to the Policy Advocacy agenda of the IWN Southern Region towards India@100.

Emphasis on POSH Act Implementation

A major focus of the discussion was the effective implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, commonly known as the POSH Act.

Participants stressed the importance of conducting regular awareness and advocacy programmes to improve understanding of workplace policies. They also highlighted the need for strong and impartial Internal Committees to address complaints fairly.

Addressing Workplace Challenges

The discussions brought attention to concerns such as gaps in policy implementation, power imbalances within organisations and fear of retaliation when employees raise complaints.

Participants also questioned whether a lack of reported complaints necessarily indicates a safe workplace, highlighting the importance of creating an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting concerns.

Industry Leaders Share Perspectives

Pantula Usha, Chairwoman of the CII-IWN Andhra Pradesh chapter, said the feedback gathered during the roundtable would help identify workplace best practices and develop practical measures to address existing challenges.

Among those who contributed to the discussions were V. Murali Krishna, Deepa Kodali, Shilpanjani Dantu and Vasudha Tummala.

The roundtable provided an opportunity for industry representatives to exchange ideas and work towards safer, more inclusive and accountable workplaces.