East Coast Railways: In observance of Sexual Harassment Against Women at the Workplace Prevention Week, East Coast Railway (ECoR) hosted an informative and engaging workshop on addressing workplace harassment, in collaboration with Asthitwa, a gender resource center and NGO. The workshop, held on Monday, was organized to commemorate the declaration of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013 on 9th December.
The session was inaugurated by Dr. Mrs. S. S. Ray, Additional Chief Medical Director, ECoR, who spoke extensively about the importance of creating a safe and respectful environment for women at the workplace. Dr. Ray highlighted the key provisions of the POSH Act 2013, emphasizing the legal processes involved in addressing complaints of sexual harassment.
The main objective of the workshop was to educate and empower women employees and officers with essential knowledge on the effective implementation of relevant laws and guidelines. It aimed to assist officials, Members, and Chairpersons of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in understanding how to properly handle complaints and maintain a positive and secure work environment.
The workshop also addressed the mandatory requirements outlined under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013, ensuring that all participants gained updated insights into:
• The legal framework for preventing workplace sexual harassment
• How to manage and address complaints in compliance with the law
• Best practices for maintaining a positive, harassment-free work culture
Other dignitaries who spoke at the event included Dr. Priyanka Anand, Associate Professor of Law at National Law University, Odisha, Cuttack, who served as the Chief Speaker, elaborated on various real-life examples of handling sexual harassment issues.
Their speeches reinforced the importance of a collective effort in upholding the rights and dignity of women at the workplace. Also gracing the occasion were Dr. Mamata Das, Secretary, and Ms. Snehanjali Mohanty of Asthitwa, an NGO in Bhubaneswar, and former Member of Odisha State Commissioner for Women, who shared their insights on the reality of sexual harassment and potential solutions.
This workshop was a significant step in ensuring that East Coast Railway continues to be a leader in fostering a safe, inclusive, and harassment-free environment for all its employees.
