A special awareness campaign under the Sankalp: Hub for Empowerment of Women initiative was held at Zunheboto on September 11.
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | September 12
A 10-day special awareness campaign under the Sankalp: Hub for Empowerment of Women initiative was held at the D.El.Ed Centre, South Point East Colony, Zunheboto, on September 11. The campaign focused on the theme “Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace”, highlighting provisions of the Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal (POSH) Act, 2013.
As part of the event, a Legal Aid Clinic was set up in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Zunheboto.
Addressing the programme, Dr Tiamenla Phom, Additional Superintendent of Police, Zunheboto, underlined the significance of the POSH Act in ensuring a safe and respectful work environment. She explained that the Act covers unwelcome physical contact or advances, inappropriate remarks, sexually explicit jokes, requests for sexual favours, stalking (online or offline), and quid pro quo harassment. She added that discriminatory treatment of women at workplaces—including schools, colleges, hospitals, and offices—also comes under its ambit.
Dr Phom informed participants about the complaint mechanisms, stating that every organisation must have an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), while Local Complaints Committees (LCCs) function at the district level. She spoke on the inquiry process, employer responsibilities, penalties for non-compliance, and repercussions of false complaints.
Nguvito, representing the Fire and Life Safety (FLS) unit of the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), stressed the need for awareness and community support in ensuring women’s safety. He introduced the Sakhi One Stop Centre under Mission Shakti, which provides assistance to women facing violence or harassment, and shared helpline numbers 181 (women) and 1098 (children). He also highlighted government schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and services of Anganwadi centres.
Lino I. Chishi, Caseworker at the Sakhi One Stop Centre, conducted a session on psycho-social counselling, emphasising the need to break the stigma surrounding abuse. She highlighted the Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and noted that while reported cases in Zunheboto remain low, incidents often go unreported due to fear or social pressure. She called for collective responsibility to address not only physical but also verbal, emotional, economic and psychological abuse within families.
The programme was chaired by Aosungkum Longkumer, Lecturer. A special song was presented by a DIET student, followed by a theme song performed by Aloino Achumi. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Sheli V, DMC, DHEW.
