Ashwini Patwardhan, founder of Sarvam – an organisation dedicated for POSH implementation, has been empanelled as an Individual Trainer with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, government of India, on the She-Box Portal for conducting the POSH awareness programs and IC capacity building workshops which happens to be the first and only such recognition from Goa as of now...
On International Women’s Day, the Goa State Commission for Women (GSCW) had organised a special program in Panaji focusing on women's health, well-being, and workplace safety and the event was attended by Arshi Adil, IPS, SP of Economic Offence Cell, Sucheta Desai, Superintendent of Police (Training), Ranjita Pai, chairperson of Goa State Commission for Women, Upsana Mazgaonkar, member secretary of GSCW, Delilah Lobo, MLA of Siolim Constituency and others. The programme saw a key session on Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) awareness conducted by a certified POSH expert Ashwini Patwardhan, and founder of Sarvam.
Specialist with over two decades experience in HR, industrial relations and public relations, Ashwini holds a management degree from Mumbai University with HR & PR specialisation from Welingkar Institute. Having worked in Mumbai, Pune and Goa, she offers HR solutions including manpower planning, training, performance management, and employee satisfaction analysis. Holding USA and UK-based accreditations as well, Ashwini serves as an external member for various organisations, guiding them in POSH compliance. .
A certified POSH trainer, accredited by HRCI (USA), CPD Standards (UK), SHRM (India), and Protouch, Ashwini leads POSH awareness sessions, capacity-building workshops, and serves as an external member on internal committees. “I have worked with diverse sectors including luxury hotels, NGOS, IT firms, and government departments. My mission is to create safe, inclusive workplaces,” states Ashwini who keeps working on physical, mental and spiritual health of individuals around her. Although the profession she has chosen is people centric, now it is more principles centric and ethics based approach.
Founded in 2022 and registered under UDYAM Registration as MSME establishment, Sarvam covers all genders sensitisations, including men, women and transgenders in all industries under Factories Act, Shops & Establishment Act, all educational institutions under UGC / AICTE regulations and State Board regulations, and organisations, government departments, or government affiliated departments or associations.
Till date, Sarvam has conducted over 200 awareness and IC capacity-building programs, sensitising more than 5,000 individuals on workplace safety and legal compliance. After its inception in 2022, Sarvam initially aimed to support establishments, start-ups, MSMEs and individuals across the country. With her experience in the field of HR, PR and process planning, Ashwini soon realised that the industrial and societal need of guidance on ‘Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) at workplace, and made this her mission.
“Under POSH, we serve as an external member on POSH/internal committee, a trainer, awareness creator, and as an enquiry officer during sexual harassment at workplace related incidences. POSH compliance as being one mandatory requirement, we assist our associates to create the workplace as a safe workplace, continuously monitor the compliance and guide on completing statutory requirements,” she explains.
Apart from running the company Ashwini is the State secretary for Goa of Mahila Patanjali Yog Samiti Nyas Haridwar, which is one of the biggest women-centric organisations. A member of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) as a woman entrepreneur, she is also a life member of NHRDN and NIPM. Packed with a passion for social service, this hardcore people centric woman keeps working on physical, mental and spiritual health of individuals around her. Although the profession she has chosen is people centric, now it is more principles centric and ethics based approach, she feels.
Stating that POSH is not just a legal mandate but a guiding framework to create a culture of dignity, equality, and inclusion in every workplace, Ashwini points out that IC members are the torchbearers of this transformation. Ashwini appeals to all to become POSH warriors and join the movement initiated by Sarvam to create safer and more inclusive workplaces across Goa and the country. She hopes that the collaboration between Goa State Commission for Women and Sarvam will empower IC members and play a vital role in ensuring effective POSH Act implementation across Goa. This partnership will mark a significant step in fostering safe, inclusive, and gender-sensitive workplaces across Goa and beyond.
With a strong commitment to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, Ashwini has actively contributed to policy discussions, including the recent White Paper released by her on Insights about POSH in 2024 at Goa, which she submitted to various leaders including Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Sulakshana Sawant, Ranjita Pai (chairperson, Goa State Commission for Women) and Asha Arondekar, president of Women’s Wing of GCCI.
Born in Mumbai and married in Goa for the past two decades Ashwini was working as an HR professional in industry and started her own venture Sarvam in 2022. “Our MSME registered venture takes care of HR strategic consultancy and an exclusive forum for PoSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) at workplace in Goa,” shares Ashwini who has earned empanelment with GOI's Ministry of Women and Child Development at ‘She Box Portal’ as the only one appearing as empanelled individual trainer.
Stating that the Sexual Harassment (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013 was enacted to create safe, inclusive workplaces free from sexual harassment, Ashwini admits that despite its significance, awareness, and implementation, challenges do persist across industries. Team at Sarvam discovered that most of the participants in our sessions are unaware of the Act and its importance. This fuelled their mission to transform workplaces through education, training, and reform.
POSH Act aims to prevent incidents of workplace sexual harassment, prohibits harassment by defining legal guidelines and consequences and redresses complaints through structured mechanisms. Awareness of legal rights empowers individuals to act confidently in safeguarding themselves and others. It fosters a sense of security and encourages victims to come forward without fear of retaliation. Employers and IC members also benefit from understanding the legal landscape, ensuring compliance and ethical handling of complaints.
Explaining why POSH is required, Ashwini points out that workplace harassment disrupts productivity, fosters toxic cultures, and creates emotional distress for employees. The POSH Act ensures a safe, professional environment for all, equal opportunities for growth without fear and a structured legal mechanism to address grievances effectively.
The government of India’s #AbNahiTohKab campaign emphasises zero tolerance for violence against women, including workplace harassment. This initiative highlights the importance of timely action, reporting, and creating a culture of respect and accountability. The POSH Act has laid the groundwork for safer workplaces. However, its success relies on proactive employer and employee participation. By fostering a culture of respect, ensuring robust grievance mechanisms, and prioritising awareness, organisations can transform workplaces into havens of productivity and safety. “Together, we can turn compliance into commitment and awareness into action,” concludes Ashwini.
