Shillong, Aug 29: The Internal Complaints Committee, Shillong College organised an awareness programme entitled, “Creating Safe Spaces Through Sensitization: Strategies for Prevention of Sexual Harassment”.
Resource person, Dr Rashi Bhargava from the Department of Sociology NEHU referred to gender harassment, unwanted sexual attention and sexual coercion.
Professional work environments, higher educational institutions and organisations may have incidences of sexual harassment, some under hostile environment, while others occur quid pro quo. She also said that such harassment may also not necessarily be women specific, thus the need to be wary.
Bhargava also spoke about hierarchical power dynamics which often, is a breeding environment for sexual harassment. Safe spaces can thus be established through an increased knowledge about gendered relations, which would lead to changes in attitudes towards sexual harassment, thus affecting practices and actions towards others, she said.
Principal of Shillong College Dr S Khongwir highlighted on mechanisms in place to combat sexual harassment in institutions of higher education.
The highlight of the day included a pledge taking ceremony, presentation by the students and poster entitled, “Wall of Voices” for students to pen their thoughts on the day’s topic.
