Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. GANDERBAL: The Internal Committee (IC), Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), organised an awareness programme on “Gender Sensitisation and Legal Provisions with Special Emphasis on POSH Act” here on Tuesday.
The session was presided over by Prof. (Dr.) Sandhya Tiwari, Presiding Officer, Internal Committee (IC), CUKashmir, and featured Prof. (Dr.) Savita Nayyar, Professor, Department of Law and Director, Centre for Women’s Studies, University of Jammu, Jammu, as the keynote speaker.
The programme commenced with the opening remarks by the Chairperson, Prof. (Dr.) Sandhya Tiwari, who warmly welcomed Prof. (Dr.) Savita Nayyar, briefly introduced her to the participants, and invited her to deliver the awareness session. In her remarks, Prof. Sandhya Tiwari, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath, for his continued guidance and support in organising such programmes.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. (Dr.) Savita Nayyar emphasised that sexual harassment is a serious violation of dignity, equality and fundamental rights and should never be ignored or treated as a trivial issue. She explained the concept and significance of gender sensitisation, highlighting the need to promote mutual respect, equality and dignity in educational institutions and workplaces. She emphasised that creating a safe, inclusive and harassment-free environment requires the collective efforts of institutions as well as the active participation of both men and women.
She elaborated on the constitutional provisions relating to equality, the landmark Vishaka Judgment, and the important judicial developments that led to the enactment of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act). She also discussed the objectives and scope of the Act, the concept of an aggrieved woman, the definition of workplace, the various forms of sexual harassment, and the responsibilities of employers in ensuring a safe and respectful working environment.
She further explained the legal provisions governing the complaint mechanism under the POSH Act, including the procedure for filing complaints, the prescribed timelines, conciliation, inquiry proceedings, the principles of natural justice, interim measures, confidentiality, and the monitoring responsibilities of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). She also highlighted the importance of adopting and effectively communicating an institutional policy against sexual harassment, conducting regular orientation and awareness programmes, strengthening the capacity of the Internal Complaints Committee, and encouraging institutional leaders to serve as role models in fostering a culture of dignity, equality and mutual respect.
The programme culminated with concluding remarks delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Sandhya Tiwari, who expressed her appreciation and gratitude to Prof. (Dr.) Savita Nayyar for delivering an informative and insightful session. Prof. (Dr.) Sandhya Tiwari also thanked the faculty members, research scholars and students from various Departments of the University who joined the session for their active participation. During her concluding remarks, Prof. (Dr.) Sandhya Tiwari briefly apprised the participants about the role and functioning of the Internal Committee (IC) of the Central University of Kashmir. She reiterated the University's commitment to promoting a safe, inclusive, and harassment-free environment for all members of the University community.