The Internal Complaints Committee and the Department of B.Com (Banking and Insurance) organized a Sensitization Program on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment on August 1, 2024, for women students and staff in the Seminar Hall. The session began with a warm welcome by Mr. C. Suresh Kumar, Head of the Department of Marine and Catering Hotel Management, who introduced the guest speaker and handed over the session. Mrs. G. Kavitha, Advocate at the Madras High Court (Madurai Bench), was invited as the resource person. Mrs. G. Kavitha provided a detailed overview of sexual harassment in various environments, including workplaces and educational institutions, highlighting it as a pressing issue that affects the safety and well-being of individuals. She engaged the participants by educating women about their rights and the different forms of sexual harassment. Her session focused on the following key points:
- Equipping women with tools and strategies to recognize and avoid potentially harmful situations.
- Encouraging women to speak up against harassment and seek support.
The sensitization program proved to be a crucial step in promoting awareness and empowering women. By fostering a supportive environment and equipping women with knowledge and resources, the program aimed to reduce incidents of harassment and encourage a culture of respect. Sustained commitment from all stakeholders is essential to ensure ongoing progress in this area. The session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mrs. V. Padmavathy, Head of the Department of Commerce (Banking and Insurance).
Outcome of the Programme
- Gained a clearer understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment and the importance of consent.
- Increased knowledge about legal protections and institutional policies was noted.
- Implement follow-up sessions to measure the long-term impact of the sensitization efforts.
- To enhance mechanisms for reporting harassment confidentially to encourage more women to come forward.