NCW Chief Vijaya Rahatkar Calls For POSH Act Review To Tackle AI-Driven Workplace Harassment
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar during the National Consultation on the POSH Act as the Commission prepared recommendations for the Centre on strengthening workplace sexual harassment laws
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is expected to submit its recommendations to the Central Government within a month after completing a nationwide consultation on the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said on Friday.
Speaking at the two day National Commission for Women's (NCW) National Awareness Programme on The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, that began today at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Rahatkar said the final recommendations would be prepared after considering suggestions received from experts and stakeholders across the country.
Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annpurna Devi, was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
The national consultation follows four regional consultations conducted by the Commission to gather feedback on the implementation of the POSH Act. "Tomorrow, the National Commission for Women is organising a National Consultation on POSH. Experts from across the country will participate. Before this, we have already conducted four regional consultations, from which we received several important suggestions," Rahatkar said.
She added that the Commission would deliberate on all the suggestions before preparing a draft, which would then be finalised and submitted to the Central Government.
"Once it is finalised, it will be sent to the government," she said, adding that the recommendations are expected to be submitted within about a month.
AI, Deepfakes and Digital Workplace Harassment under consideration
While declining to disclose the final recommendations before the consultation concludes, Rahatkar acknowledged that emerging technological threats, including deepfakes, morphing and digitally manipulated content, have created new forms of workplace harassment that require attention.
"The POSH Act is not very old; it came into force in 2013. A great deal of thought and understanding went into drafting it. Its foundation is very strong," she said.
However, she noted that the nature of workplaces has evolved significantly with increased digital engagement.
"Today, we are seeing issues such as deepfakes, morphing and similar forms of misuse, through which women are being harassed, including at the workplace. Therefore, we certainly need to address the impact of these issues in the Act," Rahatkar observed.
Need to keep pace with emerging challenges
The NCW Chairperson said the Commission periodically reviews laws relating to women's rights and had chosen to examine the implementation of the POSH Act this year in light of evolving workplace realities.
She emphasised that legal frameworks must adapt to new methods of harassment and technological misuse.
"As new methods are emerging to harass or cause harm to women and others, we must also find ways to tackle them and put appropriate mechanisms in place," she said.
Call for responsible use of AI
Highlighting the growing misuse of artificial intelligence to create deepfake images and videos targeting women, Rahatkar stressed the need for responsible use of technology and greater public awareness.
She urged citizens to use AI and social media responsibly to prevent harm and distress, while indicating that these concerns are likely to feature prominently during the Commission's deliberations before final recommendations are sent to the Centre.
Event Name: Awareness Program On POSH Act, 2013
Event Date: July 17, 2026