An awareness programme on the “Sexual Harassment at Workplace: From Silence to Safety”

An awareness programme on the “Sexual Harassment at Workplace: From Silence to Safety” was organized by ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR-CIRCOT), on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 3.00 p.m. in the Jubilee Hall, with the objective to educate and sensitize staff members on the importance of maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace environment for women.

The programme commenced with Vandemataram followed by ICAR song and a welcome address by Dr. S. K. Shukla, Director ICAR-CIRCOT Mumbai. Dr. Kirti Jalgaonkar, Senior Scientist & Presiding Officer, Internal Complaints Committee, introduced the guest speaker Dr. Zarin Sethna, retired and former Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, Mumbai University.

In her speech, Dr. Zarin Sethna highlighted the crucial role of institutional mechanisms in ensuring workplace safety and shared practical insights from personal experience. She emphasized that sexual harassment extends beyond physical acts and also includes verbal, digital, and behavioural misconduct.

The programme was attended by Dr S. K. Shukla, Director, ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai along with heads of department, senior officials and all staff of the institute, including regional stations of Institute who joined the lecture online.

The programme concluded with a strong message on fostering mutual respect, understanding personal boundaries, and promoting a gender-sensitive workplace culture. The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs. Trupti P. Mokal, Administrative officer & Member, Internal Complaints Committee