Ampati, Dec 9: A day-long awareness programme on sexual harassment at workplace was organized by District Social Welfare Office, South West Garo Hills at Ampati on Thursday to create awareness among working women of the district regarding the issue of sexual harassment and the availability of redressal mechanism to deal with it.Addressing the participants as the chief guest at the inaugural session, the Deputy Commissioner, Ch Ramakrishna said that although workplace harassment affects women in every level of employment, more often such acts are not realized as offence by the victim or the offender. He laid emphasis on the need for creating in depth awareness on the issue at all levels, including market places where women work.

The Deputy Commissioner also touched upon aspects of sexual harassment beyond workplace and lamented the lack of dignity in police stations when one approaches the police with such cases. “Many people are unwilling to go to the police stations because of police apathy in most of such cases”, he said and highlighted the existence of alternative mechanisms like Internal Complaints Committee and One Stop Centre for women affected by gender-based violence.

ADC in-charge Social Welfare Department, SWGH, A.V.D.Shira also highlighted on different forms of sexual harassment against women and the need to stand up against such unwelcome behavior, urging upon the participants to share what they learn in the programme to their children, their families and in their neighbourhood to prevent gender-based offences at workplaces and in the society as a whole.

In the latter sessions that followed, Advocate under DLSA, Ampati, Samir Chakraborty, explained at length on “Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013”, while Sr. Medical & Health Officer, Ampati, Dr. Lydia Marak and Sub-Inspector, Ampati District Police, Tina G Momin also shared their experiences on sexual offences against women and children in general and urged the participants suggest ways to prevent such sexual crimes and offences for creating a better and safe environment for women and children.