Introduction:
Under the auspices of IEEE Women In Engineering Gujarat Section, Silver Oak University IEEE Women In Engineering Student Branch Affinity Group hosted the event "SafeSphere: Addressing Workplace Harassment”, commemorating a significant occasion and navigating attendees through expert insights on proactive measures, prevention strategies, and redressal mechanisms for workplace harassment.
About the Speaker:
The session was graced by distinguished speakers:
1. Dr. Margie Parikh, a certified POSH expert accredited by TUV SUD and ISTD, and professor at B.K. School of Professional and Management Studies, Gujarat University.
2. Dr. Jharna Pathak, Secretary of the Ahmedabad Women's Action Group (AWAG) and Assistant Professor at the Gujarat Institute of Development Research.
About the Session:
Date: 16th March, 2024
Time: 02:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Venue: E-315, E - Block, Silver Oak University
Participants: 78
The event unfolded as Prof. Mayuresh Kulkarni ceremoniously presented a meticulously crafted memento to Dr. Margie Parikh and Dr. Jharna Pathak. Furthermore, Dr. Usha Mehta, serving as the Chairperson of the IEEE Women In Engineering Gujarat Section, actively participated in the session, enhancing the event's importance through her presence. Dr. Satvik Khara paid tribute to her contributions by presenting a memento, recognizing her commitment to women empowerment and her dedicated efforts towards this cause.
During welcoming moments, participants and speakers exchanged warm greetings and expressed anticipation for engaging discussions ahead. A notable highlight of the event was a skit performed by students, which vividly depicted the stark realities of workplace harassment faced by women. This powerful performance underscored the urgent need for proactive measures to combat such misconduct and emphasized the crucial role of awareness and action in creating a safer and more inclusive work environment.
Dr. Margie Parikh led the inaugural session, focusing on raising awareness among students about sexual harassment against women in professional settings. She addressed underlying factors contributing to harassment and emphasized fundamental rights such as equality, dignity, and a safe environment. Dr. Parikh provided guidance on navigating the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) framework, facilitating a fruitful exchange of questions and insights, highlighting the need for continued dialogue and collective action.
Moving forwards, Dr. Jharna Pathak conducted the second session, emphasizing the pervasive issue of women’s harassment, critical need for justice, governmental support and stressing the importance of addressing it effectively. Dr. Pathak connected government statistics on sex ratios, female labour participation, and GDP to the prevalence of harassment, demonstrating its impact on societal and economic structures. She suggested practical solutions like Internal Committees (IC) in universities and corporations to ensure a safe workplace environment for women.
In a passionate call to action, Dr. Pathak urged attendees to actively support harassment victims within their communities. Dr. Pathak fostered dialogue on the complexities of interpersonal interactions, aiming to enhance understanding and awareness. The audience was given the opportunity to understand perspectives from different angles and they actively engaged in a Q&A session, further deepening the discussion, and sharing insights.
Conclusion:
The event emphasized the urgency of addressing workplace harassment, advocating for proactive measures such as Internal Committees and adherence to prevention frameworks. The sessions sparked dialogue and underscored the collective responsibility in fostering safe environments, urging organizations to implement tangible solutions moving forward.
This event was successful under the guidance of Dr. Satvik Khara, Dean, Diploma Engineering, Silver Oak University; Head, Department of Computer Engineering, SOCET; IEEE Senior Member; Chairperson, SIGHT, IEEE Gujarat Section; Secretary, Computer Society, IEEE Gujarat Section; and Founding Member, Silver Oak University IEEE Student Branch who provided his indispensable guidance and braced the student branch towards excellence.
Some glimpses of the event:
Skit performance on workplace harassment.
Engaging insights on POSH framework.
Discussing role of societal norms in harassment.
Felicitating Dr. Margie Parikh with a memento.
Commending Dr. Jharna Pathak with token of appreciation.
Dr. Satvik Khara presenting a memento to Dr. Usha Mehta.
Offering high tea and snacks to all participants.
Group picture of all the attendees at the event.