The Women’s Cell and The Office of the Dean, Students’ Welfare, Pondicherry University jointly organised a ‘Gender Sensitivity and POSH Awareness Programme” as part of the Campus Calling POSH awareness campaign under the Yuvamanthan scheme of the National Commission for Women, Government of India.
The programme aimed to promote a safe, inclusive and gender-sensitive campus environment by creating awareness among students and staff about gender sensitivity, the provisions of the POSH Act and the functioning of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in the campus.
The event inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. P. Prakash Babu, who emphasised the university’s zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment; Prof. G. Vasanthi, Head of the Women’s Cell and Dean, School of Humanities, welcomed the gathering and stressed the need for regular sensitisation, and Prof. Y. Venkat Rao, Dean, Students’ Welfare and Professor, Department of Tourism Studies, explained the ICC framework and support mechanisms available to the university community. Key resource persons, Prof. A. Shahin Sulthana, Chairperson, ICC and Professor, Department of Social Work, and Dr. Kamalaveni, Associate Professor, Centre for Women’s Studies and Head, Centre for European Studies, provided insights into the legal and behavioural dimensions of POSH and gender sensitisation, encouraging participants to recognise unacceptable behaviour, understand reporting procedures and contribute to a culture of dignity and mutual respect.
The programme saw active participation from students, research scholars and faculty members from various departments. Prof. Sibi P. S., Deputy Dean, Students’ Welfare delivered Vote of thanks.