Madurai, November 19, 2025In a ள affirmation of Tamil Nadu’s efforts to make workplaces safer and more gender-sensitive, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has recorded substantial compliance by the State Government with a wide range of institutional and legal directions issued to prevent sexual harassment of women at work. �Strong directions on PoSH and gender sensitivityThe Court, per Hon’ble Dr. Justice R.N. Manjula, recalled its earlier common order dated 21.11.2024 issuing extensive

Madurai, November 19, 2025In a ள affirmation of Tamil Nadu’s efforts to make workplaces safer and more gender-sensitive, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has recorded substantial compliance by the State Government with a wide range of institutional and legal directions issued to prevent sexual harassment of women at work. �Strong directions on PoSH and gender sensitivityThe Court, per Hon’ble Dr. Justice R.N. Manjula, recalled its earlier common order dated 21.11.2024 issuing extensive directions under paragraph 189, including: framing PoSH-related rules/SOPs with the assistance of the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women; creation of a dedicated Government website and dashboard for Internal Committees; reporting on gender budgets and functioning of gender cells; compulsory gender sensitisation and awareness measures across all Government establishments; inclusion of gender-sensitisation questions in recruitment examinations; gender-sensitivity tests linked to promotions; formation of gender-sensitivity audit squads; and system-wide measures in schools and higher education to deliver age-appropriate sexual education and safety protocols. �Key compliance steps by the StateRecording detailed status reports, the Court noted that 22,044 Internal Committees have been formed in Government establishments and 34,907 in private establishments, with more than 41,000 already uploaded on the TN PoSH portal, following statewide surveys covering over 1.8 lakh private establishments. � The State has designated 2,981 Nodal Officers at revenue division, taluk, block, panchayat, municipal and corporation levels; empowered designated officers through G.O.(Ms) No.65 (18.06.2025) to inspect workplaces under PoSH checklists; and initiated proposals under the SHENERGY/TN We-SAFE framework for strengthening the 181 Women Helpline, enhancing the PoSH portal, establishing Gender Audit Squads in all districts and expanding industry coalitions. �Public recruitment and service systems have also been aligned, with TNPSC, TNUSRB, MRB and TRB incorporating gender sensitisation components into competitive examinations and departmental tests, and with instructions to strictly use existing conduct and service rules, ACR mechanisms and disciplinary provisions to address workplace sexual harassment. � The Court also noted sustained child-safety and gender-sensitisation measures in school education and the development of comprehensive health, consent and gender-inclusivity curricula in higher education, as well as the continued role of the Social Welfare Department in women’s welfare and prevention of child marriage. �Court’s observations on State’s roleJustice Manjula observed that legislative and institutional measures to protect women’s rights are not mere responses to public outcry but reflect an “unspoken vow” by the State not to tolerate repeated violations or indifference to women’s equality. � The Court stressed that democracy demands collective responsibility from both State and citizens, and that if people are not active in fulfilling their duties, the State must make them active and responsive, moving from persuasion to compulsion where outcomes are inadequate. �The Court acknowledged that while the State currently prefers a persuasive approach to improving gender sensitivity, such efforts must be time-bound and outcome-oriented, with readiness to shift to stronger measures if needed. � It emphasised that directions of this nature serve as reminders to the State of its own constitutional oath to secure gender equality and prevent violence against women. �Appreciation for State law officers and institutionsIn a detailed appreciation, the Court commended the “overall response and interest” of the State Government, noting that Tamil Nadu has projected itself as a model State for PoSH implementation through “novel and result-oriented” steps. � It specifically recorded that all learned Government law officers, under the leadership of the Advocate General and Additional Advocate Generals at Madurai, along with the Public Prosecutor and various departments of the State—particularly the Social Welfare Department for women and children—had shown tremendous interest in ensuring compliance with the Court’s directions. �The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women received special appreciation for its valuable assistance in preparing exhaustive draft PoSH rules, which the Government has adapted into a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure notified in G.O.Ms.No.64, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, dated 19.06.2025. � The Court also lauded the courage and public spirit of the petitioners, Dr. Supraja, Dr. Resmi M. Nair and Ms. L.C. Vanitha, for permitting their names to be used without redaction in aid of the larger public cause. �Directions for further disseminationHaving recorded the State’s assurance to continue its efforts to realise the object of the PoSH Act, the Court disposed of W.P.(MD) Nos. 13981, 9747 and 12601 of 2024, directing the Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, to circulate the order to all concerned Secretaries. � The Registrar General of the High Court and the Director, Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy, have been directed to circulate the order (along with the earlier order dated 21.11.2024) to all judicial officers and GSICC bodies across the State so that future gender-sensitisation programmes in the judiciary can be designed in line with the Court’s vision. �