With Telangana leading the way as the state with the highest working women population in the country, ensuring their safety has become a critical concern for many families. Women, who continue to make strides in the workforce, often face harassment that goes unreported due to social stigma surrounding legal action.
To address this issue and create a healthier support system and work environment for women, Shikha Goel, Addl DGP, Women Safety Wing, Telangana Police, launched the Sahas programme. Sahas, meaning “courage” in various Indian languages, aims to establish a robust support system for women experiencing workplace sexual harassment. The initiative includes the Sahas Microsite, Sahas Sathi Chatbot, Sahas Whatsapp Number, Forum, and online support facilities.
The initiative was inaugurated by Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali, along with Anjani Kumar, Director General of Police, Telangana, and Manasa Varanasi, Femina Miss India, along with representatives from senior industry bodies.
Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali commended Telangana’s pioneering efforts in establishing innovative government-industry partnerships. He emphasised the significance of the Sahas programme as another groundbreaking initiative and praised the State Police for their commitment to reducing crime in a compassionate manner.
Anjani Kumar, DGP, lauded the Sahas initiative as a natural step towards addressing vulnerabilities in workplaces. With an estimated three lakh employers in Telangana, the Sahas team aims to raise awareness and provide training to all employers. An extensive awareness and training campaign will be rolled out among stakeholders, including affiliate companies and government departments, as directed by the Sahas Steering Committee.
Shekar Reddy, Chairman of CII & IWN, representing all industry bodies, said that every employer in Telangana is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of their female workforce. He emphasised that providing a safe work environment is crucial for women to thrive and urged all men to play their part in supporting women.
The event also featured renowned experts such as Advocate Purnima Kamble and Advocate Dr Deepa Nair, specialising in the POSH Act, and Lalitha Akundi, faculty at the Centre for Organisation Development. Representatives from industry and trade bodies, including CREDAI, FTCCI, HYSEA, TiE, Tech Triad Inc, and TMI Group were also present.