Internal Complaints Committee – Annual Report 2024-25

The Awareness Programme on “ICC and Its Role in Prevention of Sexual Harassment” for all the newly appointed Teaching Staff was conducted by Asst. Prof. Sherilyn Kevin, the ICC Presiding Officer of TCSC, on 3rd August 2024 in Presentation room. The teachers were made aware about the role of ICC in Prevention of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, the establishment of the POSH Act and the steps that are to be followed in case a sexual harassment case is encountered.18 newly joined teaching faculties participated in the awareness programme.

The Awareness Programme on “ICC and Its Role in Prevention of Sexual Harassment” for all the newly appointed Non-Teaching Staff was conducted by Asst. Prof. Sherilyn Kevin, the ICC Presiding Officer of TCSC, on 5th  August, 2024 at 11:00 am in Presentation room. The non-teaching staff were made aware about the role of ICC in Prevention of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, the establishment of the POSH Act and the steps that are to be followed in case a sexual harassment case is encountered.14 newly joined non-teaching faculties participated in the awareness programme.

The Awareness Programme on “ICC and Its Role in the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the College and Workplace” for all the degree under-graduate and post graduate learners was conducted on 22nd August 2024 during the third lecture at 10:00 am. An awareness video was shown that explained the role of ICC, its functioning and the establishment of the POSH Act and its legal framework. This video showcasing awareness program educated 1482 learners about the role of ICC in college.

A workshop on “Empowerment & Action: Addressing workplace Sexual Harassment” was conducted on 30th September,2024 by Mr. Pravin Thote (Senior Program Coordinator & Gender educator -MAVA). The workshop educated 223 (Male- 125   Female- 98) learners on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013, types of sexual harassment and tools to address and prevent sexual harassment through case studies, role-play and empowerment strategies. It also covered understanding legal frameworks, and effective reporting mechanisms.

An Awareness Campaign Week for Eliminating Gender-Based Violence was conducted by ICC from 26th November,2024 to 10th December,2024. An array of activities was organized to empower individuals with knowledge about the legal frameworks in place to address gender-based violence, and promote gender equality.

An awareness program by displaying posters around the college campus from 26th November- 2nd December 2024 to educate individuals about ICC, its role, different forms of harassment and the penalties for such behaviour. The posters displayed pertinent information related to the ICC including its role as a body responsible for addressing complaints of harassment and discrimination within the college community. The objective was to help create a safer and more respectful environment within the college community.   

An Online Quiz Competition was conducted by ICC on 3rd December,2024 during the third lecture to test learner’s knowledge on gender-based violence, the POSH Act (2013) and related legal frameworks. The learners were provided with a document on the POSH Act and instructed to read it carefully and grasp the key concepts. Afterwards a quiz was conducted online and included multiple-choice questions aimed at educating participants on legal provisions for safeguarding women's rights and preventing gender-based violence. 1121 learners participated in the Quiz competition and were made aware of Gender Based Violence. Following were the selected winners.

An Extempore Competition titled "Voices Unscripted: Advocating Gender Equality and Safety" was conducted by ICC on 4th December,2024. It aimed to provide a platform for learners to voice their opinions and advocate for gender equality and safety in various environments, particularly in educational institutions and workplaces. 55 learners took part in the Extempore Competition, delivering impromptu speeches on various topics highlighting the importance of eliminating gender-based violence and fostering a safe, inclusive environment. Following were 

the selected winners:

A social media campaign was conducted by ICC on 5th December,2024 to raise awareness on gender-based violence and women’s safety through digital platforms like Instagram and class to class rally through digital posters engaging a wider audience including learners and staff. 17 learners as a part of the ICC committee went from class to class and informed learners about Gender Violence and about ICC committee that is established to handle any sexual harassment cases. The learners were asked to pledge against gender violence. The campaign also utilized social media like Instagram to share posts, and videos about legal measures like the POSH Act (2013), government initiatives, and the importance of addressing gender-based violence.

A guest lecture session on the topic “Understanding Sexual Harassment: Legal Framework and Preventive Measures” was conducted by Mr. Mario Sebastian Sequeira (Senior Legal Professional, Sanofi) on 7th December, 2024. The main objective of this event was to educate degree learners about the critical aspects of sexual harassment, the legal provisions addressing it, and practical steps to foster a safe and respectful environment. 257 learners had participated in the session and gained knowledge on practical steps that organizations and individuals can take to prevent sexual harassment.

A Street Play was performed on college campus and college canteen by ICC on 9th December, 2024 by 11 learners as a part of the ICC committee to educate and engage the community on issues of gender-based violence and the importance of legal safeguards for women and children. The street play sparked conversation and brought attention to real-life issues of gender-based harassment cases in college and how Internal Complaint Committee handles such cases.

A Slogan Writing Competition was conducted by ICC in the third lecture for all degree learners on 9th December,2024 to encourage creativity in raising awareness about gender equality, gender-based violence, and legal rights. Learners were asked to submit original slogans that highlighted key issues such as women's safety, gender equality, and the importance of legal protection under the POSH Act. The best slogans were selected and the following were the winners.

A movie screening of the film “Article 375” was conducted by ICC on 12th February, 2024 for all the degree college learners at Dev Prabhakar Shastri Studio. This thought-provoking film served as a platform to encourage meaningful discussions about the legal and ethical dimensions of workplace harassment, the importance of a fair legal system, and the challenges faced by both victims and the accused in such cases. The aim of this activity was to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding gender-based discrimination and the role of legal frameworks in addressing such concerns. The session saw 117 participants.

Ms. Sherilyn Kevin

ICC Presiding Officer, TCSC