2 -Day workshop on “Protection of Women from sexual harassment at workplaces commences at GCW Udhampur

Udhampur : To generate awareness among the students as well as general masses, a two day workshop on “protection of Sexual Harassment of Women at workplaces” commenced here in Government College For women Udhampur.
The workshop has been organized by Internal Complaint Committee against Sexual Harassment in collaboration with Swachhta Action Plan (SAP) Club under the convenorship of Dr. Seema Sharma and Dr. Kewal Kumar.
Azra Parveen and Priyanka Hansa from Special Cell for Women and Children, Udhampur were the resource persons on the first day.
Principal of the college Prof. Anjali Mahajan graced the event as Chief Guest and appreciated the efforts of organisers for hosting the awareness workshops in the educational institutions that will go a long way in sensitizing the students as well as masses regarding the sexual harassment of women and the various measures to overcome their issues.
The morning session of the Workshop was started by lighting of the ceremonial lamp.
Speaking on the occasion, Resource Person Azra Parveen explained in detail different definitions of Harassment. She also acquainted the students about various acts and provisions related to Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of sexual harassment issues in the workplace, homes and any other places.
She also spoke about domestic violence against women and different laws related to it. The session was quite interactive with healthy discussion about the protection of women against sexual assault as well as women rights. She responded to the queries raised by the students in a very effective manner.
After that Priyanka Hansa enlightened the audiences with the present scenario on sexual harassment at workplace. She informed that 52 % of women experience sexual harassment at workplaces and mentioned various protective measures. She discussed in detail various sections including section 354, 354 A, 354B, 354 C, 354 D and 509 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 which provide for punishment for offences of outraging the modesty of woman, sexual harassment, disrobe, voyeurism, stalking and insulting the modesty of woman. The session was again very interactive.
The evening session was followed by counseling of the students with the resource persons from Special Cell for Women Udhampur.
During the session, students shared and expressed their own experiences and were provided possible solutions to their problems by the resource persons.
As many as 155 students of the college attended the workshop. The evening session ended with a pledge ceremony.
Earlier, Prof. Yash Paul delivered the welcome address, while at the end Dr. Amit Kumar presented the formal vote of thanks. Esheeta, a student of Sem-V conducted the proceedings of the programme.
The event was graced by the presence of Prof. Ashni Devi, Dr. Mool Raj, Prof. Sarika Mahajan, Prof. Tania Akhtar, Prof. Parmjeet Singh, Prof. Tania Mahajan, Prof. Sanjeev Upadhyay, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Prof. Yash Kumar and other staff members.