March 08, 2026 : Reaffirming its commitment to gender equality and workplace dignity, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Raipur organised an awareness programme on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, 2013 on the occasion of International Women’s Day. The programme aimed to sensitise faculty members, staff and students about legal safeguards, professional ethics and the shared responsibility of maintaining a safe and respectful workplace.
The event was organised under the aegis of the institute’s Internal Complaints Committee and saw active participation from faculty members, officers, staff and students of AIIMS Raipur. The programme focused on spreading awareness about workplace rights, responsibilities and preventive mechanisms under the POSH Act, 2013.
The programme began with an inaugural session. Dr. Binu Mathew, Chairperson of the Internal Complaints Committee, delivered the welcome address. Dr. Shagun Thakur, Associate Professor and Member Secretary of the Internal Complaints Committee, also addressed the gathering and emphasised the importance of awareness and institutional accountability in ensuring a safe work environment.
Professor (Dr.) Krishnadutt Chavali, Dean (Student Welfare), highlighted the need for continuous sensitisation and collective responsibility in maintaining a respectful and secure workplace within academic institutions.
A key highlight of the programme was the unveiling of the official logo of the Internal Complaints Committee. The logo was selected through a student competition. Mr. Gunik Maloo, a student from the MBBS 2023 batch, was felicitated for designing the winning logo.
The event was attended by Lieutenant General (Retired) Dr. Ashok Jindal, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of AIIMS Raipur, who was the Chief Guest. In his address, he reiterated the institute’s commitment to creating a workplace environment that ensures dignity, equality and safety for every member of the institution.
Following the inaugural session, a quiz competition on workplace safety and the provisions of the POSH Act, 2013 was conducted by Mr. Jekka Pradeep, Deputy Nursing Superintendent, with guidance from members of the Internal Complaints Committee. The activity aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of workplace rights, responsibilities and legal protections.
The programme also featured three expert sessions focusing on workplace safety and gender sensitivity. Shri Shubham Tomar, Assistant District Prosecution Officer, delivered a session on gender awareness and professional boundaries. Professor (Dr.) Jayshri R. Ghate from the Department of Physiology at AIIMS Raipur discussed different forms and dimensions of sexual harassment at the workplace. Ms. Apurva Sharma, Assistant Professor at Hidayatullah National Law University, explained the legal framework and key provisions of the POSH Act, 2013.
The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony for the winners of quiz, poster, slogan and logo competitions. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Dibakar Sahoo, Deputy Medical Superintendent, AIIMS Raipur, who acknowledged the efforts of speakers, organisers and participants.
The programme served as an important platform for promoting awareness about legal protections, workplace ethics and the importance of maintaining a respectful and safe professional environment, reinforcing AIIMS Raipur’s commitment to gender equality and institutional accountability.
