Report on Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Week

Internal Complaint Committee (ICC), Swami Viveknand Subharti University, Meerut organized Awareness week on Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace from 03/12/23 to 09/12/2023 and during this period awareness Quiz, Survey, Camp, Talk, sessions, Poster competition has been conducted by ICC members in all the constituent Colleges, departments of Swami Viveknand Subharti University. It was an initiative of 07 days of activism. Awareness session on the topics Sexual harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, Role of ICC in HEIs, Role and responsibilities of ICC has been successfully conducted by the ICC members by both online and offline mode through ICT tools in hostels, hospital and all the colleges of university and sensitize the students, teaching and non-teaching staff during the period.

One Awareness quiz on Prevention of Sexual Harassment was also conducted through Google form among the Teaching, Non-Teaching, students actively participated. Poster Competition was also organized on the topic Women rights at work place. Awareness videos on Prevention of sexual harassment at workplace was also circulated to sensitize the all.

On the 08/12/2023 Internal Complaint Committee (ICC), Swami Viveknand Subharti University in association with Sardar Patel Subharti Institute of Law & District Legal Service Authority, District Court, Meerut, organized an Awareness Talk on the topic ‘A Safe Workplace is Every Woman’s Right’.

The guests were welcomed by offering plants. The program was started by lighting the lamp and garlanding the picture of Goddess Saraswati. After that, the Prof.(Dr.) Reena Bishnoi, Presiding officer of the Internal Complaint Committee of the Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut While giving the welcome speech, said that women’s safety is a serious issue which we should solve with promptness and seriousness. Despite gender equality, women are often treated unfairly in the workplace. How serious is this issue and how does an organization protect its female staff members from such unpleasant incidents? Awareness talk has been organized only to get answers to unresolved questions.

Famous social worker Mrs. Anita Rana,Director Janhit Foundation and Member, Permanent Lok Adalat, District Court Meerut said that Swami Vivekananda Subharti University is working to make every section of the society aware about the rights of women as well as how they can be protected from various crimes committed against them. Which we know as a marginalized society.

He said that women should openly raise their voice against any inappropriate behavior towards them.

Chief guest of the program Prof. (Dr.) Anjali Mittal, Principal-Meerut College, Meerut said in her speech that to prevent crimes related to sexual harassment against women, we must first inculcate equality and respect for women at home while raising children. Education has to be given. In today’s time, it is more important to change the mindset, only then we will be able to realize the vision of a healthy and equal society.

Hon’ble Justice Rajesh Chandra, Former Judge Prayagraj High Court Started their speech quoting various judgments passed by the Honorable High Courts and the Supreme Court. He emphasize that if you see a woman in trouble, then do help her .He said in their address that today we are talking about women’s equality, but we also have to keep in mind that they should not misuse the rights that they are given.

Prof. (Dr.) Shalya Raj, CEO said that first of all it is important to clarify to the complainant what sexual harassment is? For example, if your boss assigns you some work, then it does not come under the definition of sexual harassment, but if someone takes unfair advantage of you, physically or mentally, without your consent, then it comes under the category of sexual harassment. Is. The Internal Complaint Committee of the University works equally for not only women but also male employees. If a woman is physically or mentally harassed in her office or at any workplace, the woman can file a complaint against the accused.

Secretary of District Legal Services Authority, Meerut, Shri Hari Ram sent his best wishes for the seven-day program run by Subharti University with the aim of spreading awareness among women about the Protection from Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act 2013.

Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Major General Dr. G.K. Thapliyal said in his statement that first of all we have to see who are those people who make the workplace unsafe, where do they bring such mentality from, people with such mentality are a black spot on the society. Office is the second home for any person. In fact, a person spends a long time of his day here. The workplace environment and behavior of fellow employees and officers affects both our work and our mind. Generally women have to face more problems than men.

Prof. (Dr.) Vaibhav Goel Bhartiya, in his vote of thanks, said that the objective of the Protection from Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act 2013 is to create a space that is safe for women in every way by providing women-friendly infrastructure. Apart from this, he urged the youth present that in future they will not do any such work which will cause problems to the women working

with them. Apart from this, he also briefly explained the various provisions of this Act and their usefulness.

Program is successfully conducted by Ms. Ifra Siddiqi, B.A.LL.B. final year student. Students, Faculty Members and Non Teaching Staff actively participated in the event.

University’s Internal Complaint Committee Presiding officers Prof.(Dr.) Reena Bishnoi and members Dr.Shubhangi Gupta, Mrs. Sanju Solanki, Dr. Sangeeta Dayal, Mrs. Renu Chaudhary, Ms. Nisha Singh, Mr. Harshwardhan Kaushik, Mr. Brahmpal Singh, actively sensitize the Students, teachers and non-academic about the POSH Act, and role of Internal Complaint Committee during this awareness week.