Canara Bank in collaboration with NCW organized a workshop on ‘Sexual Harassment at Work place’ on 15.10.2011, which was attended by representatives of Bank of Mysore, Corporation Bank, Syndicate Bank and Vijaya Bank. 

C&MD,Canara Bank spoke on the importance of women in the development of the society and the nation at large and informed that protecting women from sexual harassment in work place, atrocities, etc., and providing justice is the responsibility of every citizen. He also reiterated that it is the duty of every employer to provide protection to their women employees. He appreciated the efforts of National Commission for Women, New Delhi in this direction and released a Book on "Supreme Court Guidelines to prevent Sexual Harassment at Work Place" in Kannada with English translation. 

Dr.Geetha Ramanujam, Guest Speaker shared her personal experiences as an educationist. She said that awareness of sexual harassment should begin at our homes, schools and colleges. Young girls, rural & uneducated women are more vulnerable to such crimes. She said a woman is a victim of harassment irrespective of age. 

Dr. Charu Walikhanna, Member, NCW, Delhi made a presentation on the law for prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace and also shared details of the Supreme Court guidelines and the salient features of the NCW draft bill. 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 appreciated our Bank and other banks for already having set up such Committees in their respective organizations. She also elicited feedback/suggestions from the participants on the topic. 

Smt. Archana Bhargava, ED Canara Bank informed that women are great achievers and it is only through their hard work and sacrifice they have reached top positions in the organization as well as other fields. However, many times their efforts go unrecognized and are subject to lot of humiliation. She said it is imperative that women should be able to work in a non-threatening atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. 

Conclusion and Suggestions Emanated:
1. Apart from Committee at the apex level, local committees should be set up at all Regions, Zones etc. 

2. In addition to Prevention, Punishment to perpetrators ( including false / malicious complaints ) should be clearly defined in Service Regulations of Banks under Minor / Major penalty. 

3. Councelling Centers at all important centers to guide and comfort the young work force coming into the Banking stream as well as others in need. 

4. Banks and Committee members extend support to NCWs workshops and initiatives in Rural areas, Schools and Colleges under CSR initiatives. 

5. NCW can make extensive use of MEDIA to propagate their cause. 

6. In the Banks the Negotiating team both from the Management side and Union / Association side, proportionate representation of Female employees / Executives should be ensured. 

7. The Personnel Depts should support the issue by other initiatives of environment building as well as developing capacities and sensitivities of the staff towards gender issues.This helps in creating a conducive workplace that is free from sexual harassment and discrimination. 

8. Display Code of Conduct prominently in work places so that even third party harassment is controlled. 

9. There should be a crusade against character slander of the women which is usually resorted to when the others feel helpless. 

10. Promotions should be based on merit and performance only on par with others on a level playing field and not subject to perceived handicaps of being a woman. 

11. The Institutions should strive to protect the dignity of women and take disciplinary action against anyone indulging in physical contact in any form on some pretext or the other. 

12. Menace of filthy SMSs to women employees are on the increase. In-house investigation in such matters may not be possible due to lack of expertise. Alternate channels to be explored. 

13. For cementing the ties between Institution and N C W, exclusively upholding the principles of Merit and Justice, regular annual review meetings should be held

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