Smt. Mamta Sharma, Hon'ble Chairperson, NCW was Chief Guest at Inauguration of the Workshop at Workshop on "Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace". The programme was organized by National Thermal Power Corporation, at Power Management Institute, Noida on 03.02.2014.

The programme began with lighting of the lamp and NTPC song. Chairperson, while delivering the keynote address said that it is very important and relevant, especially in today's scenario when a large number of women are joining workforce. Speaking on various women issues she said women have the right to work in a safe environment and enjoy equal pay, benefits and opportunities for advancement. Sexual harassment at the workplace infringes the fundamental right of a woman to gender equality as guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitution of India and her right to life and live with dignity, under Article 21, which includes right to a safe, environment free from sexual harassment. She also spoke extensively on rights and problems of working women, need for gender sensitization and women's vulnerability to sexual violence etc. The 'NCW Wallet book' and publication on rights of women developed by NCW was distributed among participants.

Dr. Charu WaliKhanna, Member, NCW, the Guest of Honour made a presentation on the prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace and also shared details of the Supreme Court guidelines and the
salient features of "The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013". She reiterated that every employer / organization is required to constitute an
Internal Complaints Committee for effective redressal mechanism, of which, not less than half of it members should be women. She said that it has been observed that most organizations / institutions have constituted an ICC, but either the committee is only on paper and not visible or it has not been constituted as per the guidelines. She added that the law requires the ICC be headed by a woman, half the members should be women and there should be inclusion of a third party / NGO, who is accessible, approachable, committed, sensitive and understanding.

The publications of NCW titled "Do not fear, bear, admit, NCW initiative on prevention of sexual harassment at workplace, na daro na saho na shweekar karo, and NCW wallet book" were distributed among the participants and there was an interactive session in which participants shared their experiences.

Dr. Arup Roy Choudhury, the Chairman and Managing Director, NTPC, also addressed the audience and had an interactive session with the audience.

The Director (HR) Shri U P Pani in his address said that the workshop was the first of its kind in order to have an equitable working condition at NTPC. It is the aspiration of the management to make every employee a model employee.

Also on the dais were Ms. Arundhati Bhattacharya, General Manager and Chairperson (Sexual harassment Committee, CC) and Ms. Gitika Shiv, General Manager.

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