Ganderbal, July 28: The Internal Committee (IC) of the Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) organised an awareness programme on "Gender Sensitisation and Legal Provisions with Special Emphasis on the POSH Act" to promote a safe, inclusive and harassment-free academic environment.

The programme was presided over by Prof. (Dr.) Sandhya Tiwari, Presiding Officer of the Internal Committee, while Prof. (Dr.) Savita Nayyar, Professor, Department of Law and Director, Centre for Women's Studies, University of Jammu, delivered the keynote address.
Welcoming the participants, Prof. Sandhya Tiwari thanked Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath for his continued support in organising awareness initiatives aimed at strengthening gender equality and institutional safety.
In her address, Prof. Savita Nayyar described sexual harassment as a serious violation of dignity, equality and fundamental rights, stressing that it should never be ignored or trivialised. She underlined the importance of gender sensitisation in fostering mutual respect, inclusivity and equal opportunities in educational institutions and workplaces.
She elaborated on constitutional guarantees of equality, the landmark Vishaka judgment, and the evolution of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act). Her session covered key provisions of the legislation, including the definition of workplace, forms of sexual harassment, the role of employers, complaint procedures, inquiry mechanisms, confidentiality, interim relief and the responsibilities of Internal Committees.
Prof. Nayyar also highlighted the need for strong institutional policies, regular awareness programmes, capacity-building of Internal Committees and proactive leadership in creating workplaces and campuses based on dignity, equality and mutual respect.
Concluding the programme, Prof. Sandhya Tiwari expressed gratitude to the keynote speaker for her insightful session and thanked faculty members, research scholars and students for their enthusiastic participation. She also briefed the audience on the role and functioning of the University's Internal Committee and reaffirmed CUKashmir's commitment to ensuring a safe, equitable and harassment-free environment for all members of the university community.