IIT Mandi Strengthens Culture of Dignity and Respect Through One-day Workshop on Gender Sensitisation and POSH Act (2013)

The Internal Committee of the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi organised a One-Day Workshop on “Awareness and Sensitisation on Gender and the POSH Act”, with the participation of more than 850 members. It included approximately 122 faculty members, 136 staff members and 600 Ph.D. scholars from the Institute community.

The workshop was organised under the convenorship of Prof. Nitu Kumari, Presiding Officer, Internal Committee, with Dr. Geeta Rani, Member, Internal Committee, serving as Co-convenor.

The programme reflects the continued support and encouragement of Prof. Laxmi Dhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, towards strengthening the Institute not only in academics, research and infrastructure, but also in building a sensitive, inclusive, respectful and responsible institutional culture. His vision and encouragement have supported initiatives aimed at fostering a campus environment where dignity, empathy and mutual respect are valued alongside academic and professional excellence.

The inaugural session began with the welcome of dignitaries and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. The Dean Academics Prof Venkatesh H. Chembrolu and Dean SRIC Prof Shyam Kumar Masakapalli addressed the participants and emphasized the importance of workshop on gender sensitization. The Deans, Associate Deans, School Chairs, Centre Heads, Deputy Registrars and Assistant Registrars were also present and actively participated in the program, along with faculty members, staff members, Ph.D. scholars and members of the Internal Committee. This collective participation reflected the importance accorded by the Institute to creating awareness about gender sensitivity and the prevention of sexual harassment.

The workshop was conducted by Dr. Sunita H. Khurana, Founder Director of the Centre for Training, Research and Advocacy (CenTRA) and former Director of the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM), Government of India. Drawing upon her extensive experience in public administration, policy and institutional capacity building, Dr. Khurana provided participants with practical insights into gender sensitisation and the implementation of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act.

The workshop covered a range of important themes, including concepts, dimensions and types of sexual harassment at the workplace; gender sensitisation and gender discrimination; filing of complaints and the complaint process; and guidelines for conducting enquiries by the Internal Committee. The sessions also included case studies and role plays on gender sensitisation and POSH, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session.

The use of case studies and role plays made the sessions practical and engaging, helping participants understand how issues of gender discrimination and sexual harassment may arise in workplace situations and how they should be addressed within the institutional and legal framework.

In the welcome address, Prof. Nitu Kumari, Presiding Officer of Internal Committee, highlighted that the goal of workshop goes beyond understanding POSH Act. It extends to nurturing a culture of equality, inclusivity and mutual respect. As an institution committed to excellence, IIT Mandi recognizes that academic and professional excellence can flourish only in an environment built on trust, integrity and respect. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Geeta Rani, Member, Internal Committee.

With more than 850 participants, the workshop marked a significant institutional initiative towards strengthening awareness, accountability and collective responsibility for maintaining a safe and respectful campus.

The programme is part of IIT Mandi’s broader efforts to build an institution that is strong not only in academic excellence, research and infrastructure, but also in its human values and institutional culture. Initiatives such as Gender Sensitisation Workshop and Gatekeeper Training reflect the Institute’s commitment to creating an environment where every member of the community feels safe, valued, respected and heard.

“At IIT Mandi, institutional excellence is envisioned not merely through what the Institute builds, but also through the culture it nurtures—one founded on dignity, sensitivity, inclusion and respect for one another.”