Awareness session on ‘Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Work’ held

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 23: To ensure safe working place for women, CII has opened to sensitize Industries and Corporates concerning sexual harassment and conducted awareness programme on ‘Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Work’ (POSH) covering legal and sociological aspects at AXIS Bank Jammu.
The workshop saw august gathering of women employees of AXIS Bank Jammu working at different levels.
Dr Seema Sharma, Senior Assistant Professor, The Law School, University of Jammu, was the key note speaker, while Vikas Gupta, Branch Head, Axis Bank and others were present for the session.
Dr Seema Sharma stated that intimidation, bullying or coercion also includes for that of a sexual nature which is becoming common day by day and deliberated on ‘choosing best practical strategies and right action plans to deal with sexual harassment’, mentioning that sexual harassment is unfortunately a common occurrence in the workplace. When it occurs, it is difficult to experience, and it is important to learn the ways to effectively deal with it, she added.
She also focussed on how the organizations should be committed in providing a zero-tolerance, discrimination and harassment-free workplace to all employees with a well drafted action plan for handling harassment claims. She also emphasised on strict actions where one can file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which investigates sexual harassment incidents in the workplace, with subsequent registration of a lawsuit.
CII is committed towards the society and it becomes our utmost responsibility to keep sexual harassment at bay for a productive work culture, said Rajesh Sharma, Vice Chairman CII J&K State Council.
Earlier, while welcoming the guest speaker and introducing the topic, Vikas Gupta, Branch Head said “We feel it is very important to strengthen women’s role by enhancing the frequency of such sensitization programmes at regular intervals”.