The Social Awareness and Gender Equality for Women (SAGE-W) cell at SiliconTech collaborated with the Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) to organize an awareness program on ‘Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace’ on 9 December 2023 to observe the ‘Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace’ week.
The purpose of the awareness program was to educate the employees and students on the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace, promote a culture of respect, and ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all.
Ms. Kanta Mohanty, Training Consultant and Career Transition Coach, joined the event as the expert speaker. Ms. Mohanty was also a member of the Child Welfare Committee, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of Odisha from August 2018 to December 2022. She was also a member of the ICC in the State Bank of India, Power Grid Corporation, and Centre for Advocacy and Research. Furthermore, she has contributed as a resource person in various training programs under the Department of Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha.
The program began with an introduction to the SAGE-W cell and its activities by our Director, Dr. Saroj Kanta Misra. The session continued with an address by our guest speaker, Ms. Mohanty. She began the talk by explaining the meaning of the term ‘sexual harassment’ with certain relatable examples. She emphasized the need for a confidential and accessible reporting mechanism through which a transparent and impartial process can be conducted by the trained personnel. The speaker also discussed the need for a support system for victims, including counselling and creating a non-retaliatory environment to encourage reporting without fear. She made everyone aware of the need for regular training sessions on harassment, its consequences, and the ways to deal with it. She also highlighted how such situations need to be dealt with in a workplace with proper regulation of mind.
The talk was followed by a question-and-answer session in which the audience interacted with the speaker. The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by the student co-ordinator. A total of sixty participants attended the program and benefited from the knowledge and insights of the expert speaker.
