SEMINAR ON SAFER WORKPLACE FOR WOMEN

Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) Regional Branch, Jammu, organised a seminar on ‘Safety of Women in Work Places’ on 12th March 2014. The seminar was attended by the members of the IIPA as well as officers designated by as many as 21 government departments. These included: Education Department, Health Department, Mechanical Engineering Department, Stores & Procurement Department, CAPD, J&K Police, BSF, CBI, Reserve Bank of India, SMVD Shrine Board, JDA, J&K Forest Department, RTIC, J&K Bank, JMC, Women’s Development Corporation, SKPA, Udhampur, University of Jammu, Central University of Jammu, Tata Motors, KC Group.

The seminar was initiated with a welcome address that was delivered by Professor Rekha Chowdhary who besides welcoming the delegates talked about the issues related to seminar. She focused on the need to recognize women as persons rather than as sex objects. The key note address was delivered by Prof Poonam Dhawan who gave an overview of the issues related to work environment at the global level and the issues of sexual harassment.  She stated that not only the problems need to be highlighted but also to be managed. She called for institutional systems to be put in place so that women can feel safe at work places. She said that though law is very important but one needs to go beyond the law and work at that level. Her address was followed by a presentation by Dr Savita Nayyar on ‘Vishakha Judgment and Developments after Vishakha Judgment.’  She provided legal perspective to the issue of safety of Women.  She also gave an elaborate exposition to the ‘Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.

After the morning session, a panel discussion was held which was moderated by Prof Abha Chauhan. The panelists included Ms Nighat Shafi Pandit, Prof V K Kapoor and Ms Ellora Puri. Ms Nighat Shafi Pandit referred to various problems faced by women in and outside the homes. She specifically referred to the problems of girl children. Prof Kapoor enlisted several issues to be considered for women’s safety and suggested measures for their redress. Ms Ellora Puri talked about the lacunae in the present laws and also spoke about the problem of extension and application of these laws to the state.

The discussion was followed by a interactive session in which the delegates made comments and suggestions. The seminar was ended with a vote of thanks by Prof Alka Sharma.