Women protection cell at Technopark

Thiruvananthapuram: Though a major workforce, many women employees in Technopark do not feel a sense of safety. They face harassment both inside and outside Technopark. Many could not take the legal course either due to lack of support system or time to follow up. Understanding the issues of women employees, a group of women under Prathidhwani, a socio-cultural organization of techies, has started a women protection cell.
"Women employees face a lot of issues. Recently, there were several cases of attack by strangers. Men, riding on bikes, tried to harass a woman employee of IBS a month ago. Their intention - whether it is a case of chain snatching or sexual harassment - is unknown as they fled immediately when the woman cried as they tried to grab her," said Magi V Y, one of the co-ordinators of the women protection cell. "This was just one in several incidents. Streetlights near the back gate were installed only after repeated requests," Magi said.
Magi, an employee of Zyxware Technologies, together with IBS employee Shafeena Basheer and D+H employee Sujith Justin lead the women cell. The team is planning to give a real platform for women to share the difficulties they face from within and outside Technopark.
Magi said that they would provide help in filing police complaint and do follow up for them. "Most of the women could not file complaints against the harassment they faced. The companies mostly try to play down issues. Following up police cases is a tedious task. Thus issues go unaddressed. We are planning accompany the victims to the police station, provide all support and do follow up for them," Magi said.
The women cell will conduct monthly meetings . "Direct meetings are planned as women will get a chance to open up their problems," said Magi. Contact number of women cell is 9846500087.
Thiruvananthapuram: Though a major workforce, women employees in Technopark do not feel a sense of safety. They face harassment both inside and outside Technopark. Many could not take the legal course either due to lack of support system or time to follow up. Understanding the issues of women employees, a group of women in Prathidhwani, socio-cultural organisation of techies, has started a women protection cell.
"Women employees face a lot of issues. Recently, there were several cases of attack by strangers. Men in bikes tries to harass a woman employee of IBS a month ago. Their intention - whether it is a case of chain snatching or sexual harassment - is unknown as they fled immediately when the woman cried as they tried to grab her," said Magi V Y, one of the co-ordinators of women cell.
"Surprisingly, this is one of the several incidents. Even street lights in the road near the back gate was installed after repeated plea," Magi said.
Apart from Magi, an employee of Zyxware Technologies, IBS employee Shafeena Basheer and D+H employee Sujith Justin lead the women cell. The team is planning to give a real platform for women to share the difficulties they face from within and outside Technopark.
Magi said that they would provide help in filing a police complaint and do follow up for them. ‘Most of the women could not file a complaint against the harassment they face. The companies mostly try to play down issues. Following up police cases are a tedious task. Thus issue go unaddressed. We are planning to go with victims to police station, provide all support and do follow up for them," Magi said.
The women cell will conduct monthly meeting for women to discuss the issues they face. They will be later connected through virtual platforms like whatsapp or mails. "Direct meetings are planned as women will get a chance to open up their problems," said Magi. Contact number of women cell is 9846500087.