Women sensitized about their rights -Governance Now

Women sensitized about their rights

A sexual harassment awareness workshop was held in the national capital to inform women about their rights

GN Bureau | April 22, 2017

#Sexual harassment #POSCO #redressal procedure #rights of women #gender sensitisation

A group of women were sensitized about their rights at a workshop held in the national capital on Saturday.

They were informed about the anti-harassment laws and legal provisions to safeguard women inside and outside their workplace.

The workshop – organised by law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. in association with the NGO Asheray Welfare & Charitable Society – was conducted by a team of lawyers led by advocate Jasleen Oberoi. The lawyers interacted with about 60 women who are undergoing skill-training at the NGO and spoke about workplace harassment, stalking and eve-teasing.

Asheray imparts training for stitching, beauty services, English speaking and computers for underprivileged women.

“It’s different when we conduct workshops for women from economically weaker sections, as they are unaware of the basics. They have no clue about their rights or the course of action one has to take in case of harassment incidents. However, in my experience, misogyny is prevalent everywhere – the plush corporate setups are no exception,” said Oberoi who conducted a number of workshops on sexual harassment and The Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) in corporates, NGOs and government schools.

Asheray programme coordinator Kritika Sisodia said, “We mostly engage with women and kids from the areas around Bhogal and Nizamuddin. We conduct 10-12 workshops every year to make them aware of the redressal procedures that are available for crimes against women and children. This workshop includes workplace harassment since these women are potential workers of garment factories and the like. We want them to have the knowledge of how to deal with harassment and how to use their rights.”

The lawyers explained the women (aged 15-40), with examples, the definition of sexual harassment, the actions that constitute sexual harassment and the aids available in workplaces in both formal and informal sector. Clips from Bollywood movies were also screened to make the content of the presentation more relatable.

Nazia, 15, who participated at the workshop, said, “Now I know – whom to complain to and how to complain, in case of incidents of harassment. I will be able to deal with these situations in a better manner in future.”

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