Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi, organized a one-day Workshop-cum-Training on “Equity, Empowerment, and Education: A Comprehensive Workshop on Gender, Rights, and Prevention of Sexual Harassment for all employees and students of XISS at the Fr Michael Van den Bogaert Auditorium. The resource person for the event was Ms Khushboo Kataruka, Advocate at Jharkhand High Court.

Assistant Director, Dr Pradeep Kerketta SJ during his inaugural speech said, that we all must learn to co-exist in the society and follow a certain behaviour. The patriarchal mindset of the society, makes us look at things from a different perspective. So, we need to be aware of laws which exist so that an employee and the employer understand things and make the place a safe working environment.

Dean Academics, Dr Amar Eron Tigga emphasized on the importance of the workshop and mentioned how it would play a role in shaping students for their corporate career. He urged students to be ‘Professional with a difference’ and stated that the Institute is gender sensitive and committed to the safety of each.

Ms Khushboo Kataruka during the session, stressed on the importance of knowing how to conduct oneself and how to behave in a professional environment. She spoke of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour citing examples. Further, she discussed about the role we play in the society, our thought process, status of women in the society and how they have been subjugated, adaptability of humans, gender, and evolution.

She also spoke about Equity and Equality, and urged students to do their part and said that, “Everyone has equal existence.” She highlighted and said that, “Inequality gets learnt; Equality needs teaching.” She stressed that inequality passes through generations and it is important to break the chain. She also reiterated on the importance of speaking up in situations and standing up whenever required, especially in case of women.

Mr Jonson Topno, an alumnus of XISS and an External Member of the ICC, welcomed the students and said that the institute shapes perspective of individuals. He stressed on how the workshop is important in professional career. Presiding Officer of ICC, Dr Madhumita Singha, and members Dr Pooja, Dr Sharda Singh, Dr Amit Kumar Giri, Koyel Mukherjee, and Ameesha Chaudhary were present during this workshop.