Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Framework Lacks Effectiveness as Complaints Rise
MUMBAI (India CSR): Despite its claims of promoting gender equality and safety, the State Bank of India (SBI) continues to face challenges in protecting its women employees, who make up 26.78% of its workforce.
The bank’s inability to effectively implement its dedicated Garima (POSH) framework has resulted in a notable number of sexual harassment complaints throughout the year, raising concerns about the safety and security of its women workforce.
Insufficient Women Participation in the Workforce
Although SBI proudly announces a diverse workforce, the reality is that women represent a disappointing 26.78% of its total employee strength of 2,35,858.
The bank has much to improve when it comes to fair gender representation and inclusivity in its workforce.
Ineffectiveness of POSH Measures
Despite receiving 46 complaints of sexual harassment in the fiscal year 2022-2023, the bank was able to address only 38, leaving 13 cases unresolved at the end of the year. This track record casts doubt on SBI’s ability to resolve these serious issues promptly and adequately and questions the efficacy of its supposed safe environment.
Garima (POSH) Framework and Policy Updates: More Talk than Action?
SBI’s efforts to streamline sexual harassment procedures through the Garima (POSH) framework and policy updates have not been matched by adequate action. Despite the bank’s claims of updating operational guidelines, the persistence of unresolved cases suggests a gap between policy and practice.
Questionable Impact of Awareness Webinars and Workshops
The bank’s efforts to educate its workforce through webinars and workshops on Ethics and Garima POSH have done little to curb the instances of sexual harassment. The bank’s much-publicized ‘Be a woman with a voice’ webinar also falls flat as the number of unresolved cases continues to grow.
‘Samya’: A Failed Attempt at Gender Parity?
SBI’s flagship initiative ‘Samya,’ aimed at reinforcing gender parity and sensitivity at the workplace, appears to have had little impact. The persisting issues of gender inequality and the increasing number of sexual harassment complaints are stark indicators of the initiative’s limited success.
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