Swayam, the feminist organisation which has been relentlessly working towards making women voices heard in society for close to three decades, screened a film and hosted discussions on harassment at the workplace at Birla Industrial and Technological Museum auditorium on December 1.
The event, held as part of the ‘Soch Badlein Baat Badlegi’ campaign, opened a channel of communication with men who have a crucial role to play in ensuring safety for women in the work environment.
Two panel discussions were organised as part of the event. The first discussed the making and the impact of a 40-second film on changing mindsets about sexual harassment at the workplace and positive masculinity.
Speakers of panel 1 in conversation Upama Dutta / My Kolkata
The panelists included Anuradha Kapoor, founder, Swayam; Kaushik Gupta, advocate, Calcutta High Court; Pawan Dhall, founding trustee, Varta Trust; Ragini Roychowdhury, film director; Rwitobroto Mukherjee, actor; and moderated by Deep Purkayastha, founder, Praajak.
The second panel focused on the challenges faced in creating a safe and equal workplace for women. The panel deliberated on the laws in favour of women and their practical limitations, the working of the internal complaints committees and how Swayam plays a role in supporting women. The panelists included Abhijit Dutta, advocate; Jhuma Sen, advocate; Amrita Dasgupta, director, Swayam; Chandana Bakshi, mental health consultant; Surama Ghosh, senior case worker, Swayam. The discussion was moderated by Anuradha Kapoor, founder, Swayam.
The second panel discussion in progress Upama Dutta / My Kolkata
Excerpts from what the speakers had to say:
Anuradha Kapoor, founder, Swayam
Upama Dutta / My Kolkata
If we want change and equality, if we don’t work with men we are not going to change society. Soch Badlein Baat Badlegi is a campaign to change the mindset of men and society. Normally when we talk about violence it’s always, men are doing this and the message is don’t do this. But this approach is to change the way in which we approach the issue, which is to make it a more positive way of approaching, showing what is possible rather than showing what happens.
Ragini Roychowdhury, filmmaker
Upama Dutta / My Kolkata
We must create space for healthy competition among both genders. So, and I think that is how I approached this topic, this film; where they are equal and you should be able to appreciate each other for the skills that we have and not just merely based on the gender that we are.
Rwitobroto Mukherjee, actor
Upama Dutta / My Kolkata
I feel that because of social media the attention span has reduced. Even in the cinemas, if a trolley shot is a little extended people take out their phones. So, film makers have a challenge to make sure that their audience don’t take out their phones. I think this movie was very apt and on point.
Chandana Bakshi, mental health consultant
Upama Dutta / My Kolkata
Sexual harassment in workplace is very subjective. If I think that I am being harassed then it is harassment. Though it is subjective, we have noticed physiological changes in those who have been sexually harassed like sleeplessness, fatigue, racing heart beats, panic attacks, and loss of concentration. If these are not addressed then Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is evident.
