An awareness campaign session on Sexual harassment of women at the workplace was conducted by the Internal Complaints Committee (Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace), Narayana Medical College and Hospital on 04.07.2024 at B.C. Roy Gallery at 3pm.

The meeting was attended by the Principal, the Medical Superintendent, Convener, and other members of the Internal Complaints Committee along with staff and students of Nursing, Ministerial staff of the Hospital and College, as well faculty of various departments.

The session started with opening remarks by the Principal, Narayana Medical College, who defined the term “Sexual Harassment at work place” with few references on what constitutes sexual harassment. He also briefed the audience on the Internal Complaints Committee and how to lodge a complaint with the Internal Complaints Committee.

 This was followed by a brief message by the Medical Superintendent Dr.Hari Prasad Reddy who talked about Zero Tolerance to such incidents within the Hospital and the campus, mentioning that the accused/respondent will not be spared whatever his/her status of employment or his/her position in life.

 Next Dr. K. Durga, Convener of the Sexual Harassment Committee, gave a Power Point presentation of what constitutes sexual harassment, definition, types of sexual harassment – verbal, non-verbal and physical, with examples. She went on to describe the effects of Sexual Harassment on the individual as well as the organization.

To ensure safety of women at work, she mentioned about the POSH act –  Prevention of sexual harassment of women at workplace-2013. She also described in detail the Vishaka Judgment of 1997. Subsequently she showed on where and how to lodge a complaint to the Internal Complaints Committee, how to conduct an inquiry, by the Internal Complaints Committee, the time allotted for completion of inquiry and filing of reports.

 The latest updates and amendments of the POSH act with its all-inclusiveness (transgender and Men) were discussed too along with latest guidelines for the proper functioning of the Internal Complaints Committee to address practical challenges and improve efficacy of the complaint redressal mechanism.

  The PPT ended with some personal safety tips for women in general e.g. always stay alert wherever one is, so as not to be taken by surprise, don’t show fear and always trust your instincts.

This was followed by a brief address by Dr. C. Jyothi, who spoke in the regional language Telugu on similar points for better understanding by everyone.

 Subsequently an interactive session with comments and incidents stand by audience was allowed.

Dr. Manjula gave her comments and complaints about patient’s attenders misbehavior with staff.

 Mrs. Madhavi Latha, Deputy Nursing Supervisor cleared her doubts on how to instruct girl students what to do when they receive mobile WhatsApp chats which are unwelcome.