Awareness Programme on Prevention of Sexual Harassment: Prevention of Sexual Harassment Cell (PoSH)

Introduction: On 20th September 2024, Besant Women’s College, Mangaluru, in collaboration with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Cell (PoSH) and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), organized an Awareness Programme on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment. The program aimed to promote safety, respect, and dignity, empowering students and staff to take proactive steps against harassment.

Programme Details: The event began at 11:30 AM in the college auditorium, drawing students and faculty from various departments. Prof. Devika Anand gave a warm welcome to the guests and introduced them to the audience, giving the programme a dynamic start with her thoughtful words. Her introduction set the tone for the session, emphasizing the importance of the topic and preparing the attendees for an insightful and engaging experience.

Prof. Hemalatha, the Convenor of the PoSH Cell, and her dedicated team played a pivotal role in organizing the event. Like a guiding light leading the way through darkness, Prof. Hemalatha ensured every detail was meticulously attended to, creating a safe and supportive space for discussion. Her team's collective efforts demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering a harassment-free environment on campus, symbolizing unity and leadership in the fight against harassment.

Dr. Manjula K. T., Vice President of WNES and Correspondent of Besant Women’s College, served as the Chief Guest. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of awareness in creating a culture of respect, describing it as the foundation of a protective and supportive environment.

The Resource Persons for the event, Ms. Rosamma P. P., Police Sub-Inspector from Kadri Police Station, and Ms. Deepa M., Advocate from Mangalore, delivered insightful and impactful speeches.

Ms. Rosamma P. P. shared her experience in law enforcement and discussed the importance of vigilance in preventing sexual harassment. She explained how incidents often go unreported due to fear or hesitation and emphasized that silence empowers oppressors. She encouraged students to report any harassment they encounter, whether it be at school, work, or in public spaces. Additionally, she highlighted specific challenges young girls face, such as fraudulent calls aimed at exploiting them. Through real-life examples, she illustrated how perpetrators use technology to target innocent individuals, urging students to remain cautious and vigilant. Ms. Rosamma’s message was clear: boldness, awareness, and prompt reporting are essential to combat harassment.

Ms. Deepa M. provided a detailed explanation of the PoSH Act, its history, and the legal measures in place to address workplace harassment. She emphasized the importance of being informed about one’s rights under the law and gave numerous real-world examples of how harassment victims successfully sought legal assistance. Ms. Deepa explained the step-by-step procedure for a harassed individual to approach the legal system, detailing how a woman can file a complaint, seek immediate help from authorities, and receive protection under the law.

She also stressed how many women, despite the existence of strong legal frameworks, are often unaware of these laws or hesitate to act. She encouraged all present to raise their voices against sexual harassment and take proactive steps to ensure justice. She urged the audience to not let the fear of societal norms keep them silent, insisting that "staying quiet only strengthens the harasser." Her powerful message was a call to action for women to be more vigilant and assertive in exercising their legal rights.

Conclusion: The programme concluded with Dr. Praveen Kumar K. C., Principal of Besant Women’s College, expressing gratitude to the chief guest, resource persons, and attendees. He reaffirmed the college's unwavering commitment to ensuring a harassment-free environment.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Parashuram G. Malage, NAAC Coordinator, who expressed heartfelt appreciation to the chief guest, resource persons, Prof. Hemalatha and her team, the organizing committee, and all participants for making the event a success.

This awareness programme educated students on the legal aspects of harassment and empowered them to take action. By understanding the rights and resources available, the participants left the event with a stronger resolve to foster a safe and respectful campus environment.