CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: An awareness programme on the prevention of sexual harassment was organised at Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University. Dr Pratibha Pandey, member, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Bhopal, was present as the keynote speaker. The programme was organised by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University. Its objective was to make university employees, officers, teachers and students aware of the legal aspects of sexual harassment. Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University Registrar Arun Singh Chauhan, Director Dr Ratan Suryawanshi, the chairperson and all members of the university’s Internal Complaints Committee, along with employees, officers and students, were present.
Addressing the programme, keynote speaker Dr Pratibha Pandey said that although everyone may be familiar with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, it is still necessary to know some of its important provisions. She said everyone should be aware of this Act. Dr Pandey referred to the background of the enactment and various Supreme Court orders, explaining how the Act was framed on the basis of the Vishaka Guidelines. She said the Act not only safeguards women’s right to complain about sexual harassment at the workplace, but also to obtain redressal and compensation. She said that when women step out of their homes for work, they often face sexual harassment. She said the workplace does not mean only an office; if a woman is sent outside for any work-related purpose, that place also falls within the definition of the workplace. Addressing women, she said that along with rights, people must also be aware of their responsibilities. Dr Pandey said that under this Act, every institution where more than 10 people work must constitute an Internal Complaints Committee, and complete information about the committee, including the names and mobile numbers of its chairperson and members, should be displayed in the office at a place accessible to the public. She also said that along with the Internal Complaints Committee, a Local Complaints Committee is also constituted, where any woman can file a complaint. She explained in detail to the employees present how a complaint can be made to the Internal Complaints Committee, what the process would be, and how the committee should conduct an inquiry and prepare its report. Dr Pratibha Pandey also answered various questions and cleared the doubts of participants. She stressed that the head of any institution must implement the recommendations of the Internal Complaints Committee within 60 days. If anyone disagrees with the decision of the Internal Complaints Committee, it can be challenged in the High Court.
Dr Narendra Tripathi, member of the Internal Complaints Committee of Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University, also expressed his views at the programme. He appealed to women that if they face any form of sexual harassment, they can file their complaint before the Internal Complaints Committee without hesitation. He said women should properly identify their colleagues, as this would help them know about their character in advance and behave with them accordingly. The vote of thanks was proposed by Prof Vibha Mishra, chairperson of the Internal Complaints Committee and director at Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University. She said on the occasion that people should work together to create such an environment at the workplace in which women can feel safe.
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