Sri Vijaya Puram, March 10: The ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) celebrated International Women’s Day with a comprehensive program involving 65 participants, including scientists, administrative staff, and students. Smt. Rinku Narayan, District Advocate and External Member of ICC, ICAR-CIARI graced the occasion as chief guest.
Smti Rinuka emphasised that there is a need for societal change on the impression on late night working women and their safety at workplace. She also reinstated about POSH act.
Smti. Smt. Rubina Siddiqui, (Certified POSH Act. Trainer) appraised the gathering regarding POSH Act, 2013 (Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act). She narrated that employers are responsible for providing a safe workplace, displaying POSH policies and penalties, conducting regular awareness and training programs, and ensuring timely reporting by the IC. Employees should maintain professionalism at work place, respect colleagues, support anyone facing harassment, and report incidents, while avoiding behaviour that may offend others or trivialize harassment.
Smti. Apurva Singh (Training & Research Specialist), State Hub for Women Empowerment, Department of Social Welfare briefed about the need for psychological counselling at work place and she also suggested for professional dress codes, ethics at duty and gave awareness on digital harassment. Women helpline contact numbers (14416, 181 and 1098) were provided.
Dr. Jai Sunder, Director of ICAR-CIARI, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to a safe working environment and encouraged greater gender integration in agricultural research.
Dr. T. Sujatha, Principal Scientist and Presiding Officer (ICC), highlighted the vital role of women in sustainable innovation for island farming. She noted that ICAR-CIARI empowers approximately 800 women annually through specialized technological training.
The celebration concluded with vote of thanks by Dr. Pooja Bohra, Incharge (Women Cell). The programme was coordinated by Smt. Teena Malik, Technical, ICAR-CIARI.