Legal Awareness Camp on Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act Held

A legal awareness camp on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was organized at the Government High School, Kotenchua, under the auspices of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA). The programme was attended by Ms. Nabaneeta Dash, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority; Ms. Priyadarshini Joshi, District Coordinator, Odisha Livelihoods Mission; Ms. Tapaswini Panda, Chairperson of the Local Complaints Committee of the district; Ms. Mohini Dalapati, Headmistress of the Government High School; teachers, students, and Adhikar Mitras. Addressing the gathering, Ms. Nabaneeta Dash explained in detail the provisions of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. She highlighted the legal safeguards available to women and members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and emphasized the importance of creating a safe, inclusive, and discrimination-free environment. Ms. Tapaswini Panda, Chairperson of the Local Complaints Committee, elaborated on the procedure for filing complaints in cases of sexual harassment at the workplace. She also informed the participants about the rights of survivors, the role of the Local Complaints Committee, and the legal support available to victims under the law. The awareness programme witnessed active participation from teachers, students, and community members, helping to promote legal literacy and awareness about women’s safety, equality, and the protection of the rights of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.