JAMMU: The Shrimati Shanti Gupta Centre for Women's Studies at MIER College organized an enlightening awareness lecture titled "Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace: Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal" for students of the School of Education and faculty.

The resource person for the session was Supreme Court Advocate, Neeta Verma. The lecture was organised under the UGC guidelines for all Higher Educational Institutions to implement gender sensitization against sexual harassment.

Dr Bharti Tandon, Associate Professor, and Convener CWS extended a cordial welcome to the esteemed resource person while Rupa Gupta introduced Advocate Neeta Verma, highlighting her remarkable achievements and extensive experience in the legal and administrative domains.

Neetu Verma is the State President of Human Rights Mission and Women Protection, Student Counsellor Kendriya Vidyalaya Jammu, Member, Bar Council Supreme Court of India, and Member, International Council of Jurists, London, England.

Advocate Verma commenced her discourse by elucidating on the grave issue of sexual harassment at the workplace, emphasizing its detrimental impact on creating a hostile work environment for women. She elaborated on the various forms and factors contributing to such harassment, including power imbalances, gender biases, lack of awareness, fear of retaliation, organizational culture, and lack of enforcement of policies.

Advocate Verma meticulously delineated preventive strategies, stressing the importance of clear communication of policies, fostering a respectful work culture, and establishing robust reporting mechanisms. Through real-life examples and enactments of laws and policies, she effectively conveyed the nuances of the subject matter.

The session culminated in an engaging question-and-answer segment, allowing for interactive dialogue and clarification of doubts among faculty and students.

Anjali Sharma, a B.Ed Semester III student, presented a formal vote of thanks. The event was conducted by Alisha Vaid, a B.Ed Semester III student.