Media Release
Mangaluru, Jun 25: The Manel Srinivas Nayak Institute of Management (MSNIM), in collaboration with the National Institute of Personnel Management (NIPM), hosted a day-long management development programme on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) at its campus in Bondel on June 18. The programme aimed to educate and empower professionals about creating a safe and respectful work environment. About 30 delegates from industry and academia participated in the programme, both in person and online.
Inaugural session
The programme was inaugurated by Ronald Mascarenhas, former consultant for HR, PR and CSR at Syngene International. Addressing the gathering, he emphasized the critical role of HR policies in preventing sexual harassment and the importance of fostering a respectful workplace. Dr Manjula KT, vice president of the Women’s National Education Society (WNES), presided over the inauguration ceremony. She highlighted the necessity for continuous awareness and education on POSH to promote gender equality and safety at work.
Programme sessions
Throughout the day, participants engaged in interactive sessions designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of POSH. Dr Reema Frank introduced the concept of POSH, detailing its significance and the need for its implementation in today's work environments. Dr Laxmeesh Rai presented an overview of the legal framework and compliance, including the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. He also delivered another talk elaborating on the procedures for framing internal complaints committees and shared case studies to provide practical insights. Dr Rameela Shekhar addressed the psychosocial impacts of sexual harassment through an engaging role-play session illustrating real-life scenarios. Nanditha Sunil discussed the responsibilities of employers in preventing and addressing sexual harassment, emphasizing a proactive approach.
Valedictory programme
The valedictory programme had Steevan Pinto, chairman of the NIPM Mangaluru-Udupi Chapter, as the chief guest. He highlighted the management's role in enforcing POSH guidelines and supporting victims. Dr Molly S Chaudhuri, director of MSNIM, presided over the session. She commended the participants for their active engagement and stressed the importance of ongoing education in preventing workplace sexual harassment.
For the inauguration ceremony, 2nd-year MBA students Aparna Shenoy gave the welcome address, Kavya Naik gave the vote of thanks, and Twinkle anchored the programme. For the valedictory programme, 2nd-year MBA students Anushree welcomed, Nishmitha gave the vote of thanks, and Sharanya GK compered. Associate professors Dr Reema Agnes Frank and Nanditha Sunil were the staff coordinators.