Sensitization on Prevention of Sexual Harassment

Event Name: Guest Lecture on “Sensitization on Prevention of Sexual Harassment”

Objective: To create awareness among aspiring youngsters about sexual harassment.

Outcome: Gained ample knowledge regarding such a sensitive topic and implemented it in real life.

Report

Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Hyderabad; Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad; and Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies, Hyderabad, collectively organized a guest lecture on “Sensitization on Prevention of sexual harassment” on 6th December 2022 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Convention Hall, wherein the attendees witnessed prominent guests addressing and enlightening them on the said topic. The objective of the session was to get an in-depth understanding of Sexual harassment and how important it is to be sensitized on the issue to prevent any such situations.  

The session was anchored by Ms. Himaja Addanki, a member of the team Inksleuths by introducing the topic. The lighting of the lamp solemnized the event by Dr. Sham Sunder Chitta, Deputy Director, SIBM Hyderabad, Dr. Anuradha Binnuri, Deputy Director, SLS Hyderabad, and the guests for the day, Dr. Rama Devi, a member of the Child Welfare Committee, Ms. Kamaxi Sambari, a focused Academician. 

The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Shyam Sunder Chitta, Deputy Director, SIBM Hyderabad, followed by felicitation for the honourable guests.

The guest of honour, Ms. Kamaxi Sambari, who is a focused Academician, started her address by introducing the POSH law and describing its implications for both men and women in the workplace. She then discussed Vishaka’s case, through which she informed the students about the importance of workplace equality and workplace safety. Ms. Sambari further explained that sexual harassment does not only take place with women as the victims. She explained that it is a power game used to put somebody down and make them do favors which usually makes a person uncomfortable.

By the end of the session, she asked what the students could do to prevent such unlawful activities from happening. She answered the question by saying that the solution lies within us and with the attitude to deal with a particular situation. 

Ms. Kamaxi Sambari giving her speech on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment

The day’s chief guest was Dr. Rama Devi Gudemela, a Member of the Child Welfare Committee. Dr. Rama Devi commenced her address by highlighting sexual harassment in women's workplaces and focused on the prevention, prohibition, and redressal act 2013. She further educated the students on how the policy works and how one should deal with that policy. She also explained the importance of the POSH Act by mentioning various cases, one of which was regarding the Tehelka case. She later focused on the current scenarios as the majority of the Indians are entering the workplace environment.

Dr. Rama also informed the students how POSH Act training is mandatory to create awareness. A few statements of Dr. Rama Devi significantly impacted the students to learn and understand more regarding this law, and one such information was, 'according to POSH Act, ICC can never say no to the complaints and complaints are subjective to women. She also mentioned that intention is secondary; the impact is primary.'

Dr. Rama Devi Gudemela giving her presentation on Sensitization on Prevention of Sexual Harassment

Followed by an enlightening and eye-opening address, Dr. Anuradha Binnuri, Deputy Director, SLS, Hyderabad, informed the students regarding how the university also maintains an ICC Council, which is open to all faculty and students alike. She stressed the importance of every organization having such committees to provide a safe and secure environment to its employees, irrespective of their gender.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Ridhi Rani, Faculty in charge of Shakti - the Women Development and Social Responsibility Cell of SIBM, Hyderabad. Overall, the students of SIU were grateful to gather such detailed information regarding the POSH Acts through the guests.

Group Photograph of the guests, faculty members, and student volunteers