DLL- SAI Training Centre organise workshop on sexual harassment at JU

The Department of Lifelong, University of Jammu today organized a one day workshop on “Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplaces” in collaboration with Sports Authority of India (SAI) Training Centre, Jammu here today at the University of Jammu. Over 25 young sportspersons/students from SAI Jammu Training Centre participated in the training programme.

Dr Daud Iqbal Baba, Director, Department of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu was the chief guest at the inaugural function. Dr. Kavita Suri, Director and Head, Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Jammu who is also Member, J&K State Commission for the Protection of Women and Child Rights, J&K govt, senior officials of SAI Training Centre Jammu including Mr. Varinder Sharma, incharge STC, Mr. Sat Pal Sharma, senior Bad-Minton coach, Mr. Dev Raj, Hand ball coach, Mr. Rajeev K. Dogra, Volley Ball coach, Mrs. Gurmeet Kaur, Hockey coach and Mr. Vikram Saini , Badminton coach were also present at the at the workshop.

Dr Daud Iqbal Baba, Director, Department of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu who is also chairman of Campus Sports Committee, JU, in his inaugural address, stressed on the need of organising more such workshops for the people in the field of sports. While expressing his pleasure over the organising of workshop on sexual harassment at workplaces at the University, he said India has a big future in sports and more and more girls are coming out in the field of sports breaking all gender stereotypes. In this background, there are many challenges including the challenges of workplaces’ sexual harassment with which all the players, be it boys or girls, need to be made aware of. He appreciated the efforts of DLL in creating efforts about this sensitive issue and expressed hope that in future University will collaborate with SAI for future partnerships.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr Varinder Sharma, Incharge, STC Jammu said that they have been organising a lot of programmes on different themes for the young sportspersons at the STC and Sexual harassment is also one of the crucial issues on which they need to be made aware of. He hoped that the STC will continue to collaborate with DLL and organise such more workshops for spreading awareness about sexual harassment.

Dr. Kavita Suri, the key resource person of the workshop who has also done considerable work on women’s issues, made a detailed power point presentation on “Gender, sex and sexual harassment at workplaces”. She said that work place harassment, intimidation, bullying or coercion including that of a sexual nature is becoming common as more and more women are coming out of their houses to work. In this regard, it is very important to spread awareness among the working class, both men and women, regarding the workplace harassment and its preventions, she said.

Dr Suri also showed several small video clippings reflecting the mindsets of the society on sexual harassment of women in the workplace. She also threw light on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 which is a legislative act in India that seeks to protect women from sexual harassment at their place of work. She discussed various provisions under the Act and underlined the need to be sensitized towards the equal status of woman at work places so that she can contribute efficiently towards the social upliftment.

Earlier, Dr. Pallavi Sachdeva, Assistant Professor, Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Jammu, welcomed the chief guest and the participants. A vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Rewa Khajuria, Counselor, Employment Information Cum Advisory Bureau, Department of Lifelong Learning. DLL faculty members Dr. Priyanka Sharma and Dr. Dr. Sandeep Singh were also present at the occasion. 

The workshop concluded with a question and answers session in which all the participants had a freewheeling discussion on this sensitive issue