The Administrative Training Institute (ATI) in collaboration with the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms conducted a two days Workshop on ‘Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace’ on July 7 and 8. The two-day workshop was attended by officials from the District Administrations and various government departments.

During an interactive session with V Shashank Shekhar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary & Director General ATI, participants presented views on their experiences and perspectives on workplace safety/PoSH in their respective workplaces and also in the whole social context.

Participants identified fear of stigmatization and retribution as some of the challenges in reporting cases of inappropriate behaviours in the workplace. They also highlighted that a lack of awareness about what constitutes a sexual harassment has contributed to normalization of inappropriate verbal remarks in the form of humours with sexual inundations.

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The participants emphasized the need to create a safe workplace through increased awareness of the PoSH Act, strengthening the role of ICCs (Internal Complaints Committee) and LCs (Local Committee) and promoting a culture of respect and accountability. The important role of churches and civil societies in fostering awareness and encouraging respectful workplace behaviour was also highlighted.

The participants also expressed that wrongdoers should be punished. The important role of families in inculcating moral and ethical values at a young age was also discussed. The ACS and DG, ATI, expressed thanks to all participants for their active participation in the discussion and for their insightful comments. He also shared an old adage that pointing out unrighteousness is also righteousness.

The program was also attended by Bendanglila, Additional Director, ATI, Kaholi Sema, Joint Director, ATI and coordinator for the workshop and other officers and staff of ATI.