Press Release
Press Release from Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyanjan Welfare Department
Information & Public Relations Department
Gangtok, September 08: The Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan Welfare Department, under the banner of the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), Gangtok District, organized a comprehensive Awareness Programme on POSH Act, SHe-Box, ITPA Act, and other Women-Centric Legislations at Ranka Block Administrative Centre.
The programme witnessed active participation from Panchayat President Mr. Raju Rai, APO Mrs. Chunny Doma Bhutia, Office Superintendent Mr. T.B. Temsina, and staff from Ranka BAC and Rey-Mindu GPU. Their presence reflected the community’s commitment towards women’s empowerment and welfare.
The resource person of the todays programs were
Ms. Pem Lhamu Lepcha – Advocate, High Court of Sikkim
Juvenile Justice Member & Legal Resource Person – North East Legal Support Centre & Helpline
The event was led by Ms. Manikala Gurung, Social Welfare Officer, Gangtok District, along with Ms. Nisha Hangma Subba, DHEW, who delivered the welcome address. They highlighted the objectives of the programme and outlined various welfare schemes under Mission Shakti, designed to strengthen women’s safety, security, and empowerment.
Ms. Pem Lhamu Lepcha gave an in-depth presentation on the POSH Act, 2013, and the SHe-Box portal. She explained how SHe-Box functions as a digital, confidential complaint management system enabling women across government and private sectors to file and track complaints of workplace sexual harassment. She stressed the importance of Internal and Local Committees in ensuring redressal within 90 days, as mandated by law.
The speaker provided insights into legal safeguards for women and adolescents, emphasizing access to justice and protection under existing frameworks.
Mr. Biren Giri, District Mission Coordinator, sensitized participants on the ill effects of substance abuse under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. He encouraged participants to pledge towards leading a healthy, drug-free life and highlighted the role of families and communities in preventing addiction. Counseling and rehabilitation services were discussed as essential support systems.
Ms. Manikala Gurung, elaborated on several state schemes such as SASY, SUMWPS, CMSDPS, and central schemes like IGNOAPS, IGNWPS, IGNDPS. She emphasized that these initiatives are crucial in uplifting women, senior citizens, and vulnerable groups. She also explained the significance of the POSH Act, which broadly defines sexual harassment to include unwelcome physical, verbal, and non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature. The Act applies to all workplaces, covering sectors such as government offices, private institutions, schools, hospitals, and NGOs, ensuring dignity and safety for women.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of the dignitaries, participants, and attendees. The session was widely appreciated for creating awareness on critical legislations, digital grievance redressal mechanisms, welfare schemes, and the importance of drug-free living.
The programme witnessed active participation from Panchayat President Mr. Raju Rai, APO Mrs. Chunny Doma Bhutia, Office Superintendent Mr. T.B. Temsina, and staff from Ranka BAC and Rey-Mindu GPU. Their presence reflected the community’s commitment towards women’s empowerment and welfare.
The resource person of the todays programs were
Ms. Pem Lhamu Lepcha – Advocate, High Court of Sikkim
Juvenile Justice Member & Legal Resource Person – North East Legal Support Centre & Helpline
The event was led by Ms. Manikala Gurung, Social Welfare Officer, Gangtok District, along with Ms. Nisha Hangma Subba, DHEW, who delivered the welcome address. They highlighted the objectives of the programme and outlined various welfare schemes under Mission Shakti, designed to strengthen women’s safety, security, and empowerment.
Ms. Pem Lhamu Lepcha gave an in-depth presentation on the POSH Act, 2013, and the SHe-Box portal. She explained how SHe-Box functions as a digital, confidential complaint management system enabling women across government and private sectors to file and track complaints of workplace sexual harassment. She stressed the importance of Internal and Local Committees in ensuring redressal within 90 days, as mandated by law.
The speaker provided insights into legal safeguards for women and adolescents, emphasizing access to justice and protection under existing frameworks.
Mr. Biren Giri, District Mission Coordinator, sensitized participants on the ill effects of substance abuse under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. He encouraged participants to pledge towards leading a healthy, drug-free life and highlighted the role of families and communities in preventing addiction. Counseling and rehabilitation services were discussed as essential support systems.
Ms. Manikala Gurung, elaborated on several state schemes such as SASY, SUMWPS, CMSDPS, and central schemes like IGNOAPS, IGNWPS, IGNDPS. She emphasized that these initiatives are crucial in uplifting women, senior citizens, and vulnerable groups. She also explained the significance of the POSH Act, which broadly defines sexual harassment to include unwelcome physical, verbal, and non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature. The Act applies to all workplaces, covering sectors such as government offices, private institutions, schools, hospitals, and NGOs, ensuring dignity and safety for women.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of the dignitaries, participants, and attendees. The session was widely appreciated for creating awareness on critical legislations, digital grievance redressal mechanisms, welfare schemes, and the importance of drug-free living.