In December 2024, PENN conducted a landmark two-day PoSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Awareness Program at the renowned Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai — one of India's most respected institutions for classical arts and culture.
Why Kalakshetra?
Kalakshetra Foundation is home to hundreds of artists, students, and staff who dedicate their lives to preserving classical Bharatanatyam and other performing arts. Like any workplace, it is subject to the PoSH Act 2013, which mandates organisations with 10 or more employees to have an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and conduct regular awareness training.
PENN was approached to design a session that was both legally rigorous and culturally sensitive — respecting the unique environment of an arts institution while ensuring every participant understood their rights and responsibilities.
What the Program Covered
- ✓Overview of the PoSH Act 2013 and its applicability to arts institutions
- ✓Definition and types of sexual harassment in the workplace
- ✓Role and responsibilities of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
- ✓Complaint filing procedures and timelines
- ✓Safe reporting mechanisms and confidentiality protections
- ✓Case studies and scenario-based discussions
“This was one of the most engaged audiences we've had. The artists asked incredibly thoughtful questions — it was clear they cared deeply about making Kalakshetra a safe space for everyone.”
The two-day format allowed for in-depth discussions and interactive role-play scenarios that a single-day session rarely permits. Participants from administration, faculty, and the student body all attended, ensuring organisation-wide awareness.
Impact
Over 80 artists and staff members completed the program. Kalakshetra's ICC members received additional targeted training on conducting fair and timely enquiries. PENN also helped the foundation review and strengthen its existing PoSH policy documentation.
This partnership marks an important step in extending PoSH compliance beyond the corporate sector into India's cultural and creative institutions — spaces where power dynamics can be complex and awareness has historically been low.