A two-day workshop at ATI Kohima highlighted the need for stronger implementation of the PoSH Act.
DIMAPUR — The Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Kohima, in collaboration with the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms, organised a two-day workshop on the prevention, prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment of women at workplace on July 7 and the 8th.
According to an update from ATI, the workshop was attended by officials from district administrations and various government departments.
During an interactive session with V Shashank Shekhar, Additional Chief Secretary and Director General, ATI, participants shared their experiences and perspectives on workplace safety and the implementation of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act in their respective offices and in the broader social context.
Participants identified fear of stigmatisation and retaliation as major barriers to reporting incidents of workplace sexual harassment.
They also observed that a lack of awareness about what constitutes sexual harassment has contributed to the normalisation of inappropriate verbal remarks and sexually suggestive humour.
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The participants stressed the need to create safer workplaces through greater awareness of the PoSH Act, strengthening the functioning of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) and Local Committees (LCs), and promoting a culture of respect, accountability and gender sensitivity.
They also highlighted the important role of churches and civil society organisations in raising awareness and encouraging respectful workplace behaviour.
Participants further emphasised that offenders should be held accountable and discussed the role of families in instilling moral and ethical values from an early age.
Speaking at the conclusion of the workshop, Shekhar thanked the participants for their active engagement and valuable contributions.
He also shared an old adage, saying that "pointing out unrighteousness is also righteousness."
The programme was also attended by Bendanglila, Additional Director, ATI; Kaholi Sema, Joint Director, and coordinator for the workshop; and other officers and staff of ATI.