Patna, October 27: (ABN) With the objective of ensuring the safety, dignity, and respect of women at the workplace and strengthening the mechanism for the effective redressal of sexual harassment complaints, a three-day advanced training program is being organized for members of Internal Committees by the Women and Child Development Corporation, Bihar. This program is taking place in three separate batches on October 27, 28, and 29, 2026, at Hotel Chanakya, Patna. During this time, participants are being familiarized with legal provisions as well as practical methods for investigating complaints and achieving fair redressal. Organized on the theme "Strengthening the Effectiveness of Internal Committees: From Legal Obligation to Effective Grievance Redressal," the program aims to effectively implement the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 (POSH Act, 2013) and to improve the efficiency and technical capacity of Internal Committees.

Padma Shri Sudha Varghese attended the program as a special guest and external member. On this occasion, Ankita Kashyap, POSH Nodal Officer and State Project Manager of the Women and Child Development Corporation, along with Dshmi Ranjan, Manager of Training and Capacity Building, were also present.

The Center for Catalyzing Change (C3) also supported this training program. On behalf of the organization, Ms. Gunjan Bihari provided her subject-matter expertise and guidance in the training sessions. Representatives from various state government departments are also participating in the program.

The participation of representatives from various departments will continue in the upcoming training sessions as well, in order to further strengthen the implementation of the POSH Act and the grievance redressal mechanism in government institutions. During the training, participants are being provided technical information regarding key provisions of the POSH Act, the roles and responsibilities of the Internal Committee, complaint investigation procedures, evidence evaluation, impartial hearings, and key aspects of preparing investigation reports.

In addition, special focus is being placed on making the grievance redressal procedure fair, sensitive, and time-bound through case studies and practical exercises. The primary objective of this training program is to practically empower the members of Internal Committees for effective grievance redressal rather than limiting them to merely fulfilling legal formalities. This will help increase accountability in institutions, maintain complainant confidentiality, and provide a safe, inclusive, and dignified environment for women.

The Women and Child Development Corporation, Bihar, is making continuous efforts in the areas of awareness, training, and capacity building to protect women's rights, promote gender equality, and ensure a safe environment at workplaces. This training program is an important link in this series, aimed at making the grievance redressal mechanism at the institutional level more effective, sensitive, and accountable.