With a focus on creating a safe and gender-equal environment in colleges and higher education institutions (HEIs), the University Grants Commission (UGC) has set up new guidelines. As per the rules of UGC, the first priority of the institute is to provide a safe, secure and violence free environment to all the students, especially female students.
The notification comes after several institutions, from IIT Madras to Chandigarh University to Delhi University’s Miranda House, reported cases of crime against women.
Read | Miranda House to Chandigarh University: How to India Make its premises safe again?
Earlier this year, the UGC set up a committee and assigned it to analyze and revise safety rules for execution. The Committee appreciated the UGC’s previous study, “Saksham: Measures to ensure safety of women and programs for gender sensitization in campuses” and proposed that a comprehensive approach to implement gender sensitization initiatives in Saksham Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Works as a manual.
Some points have been kept in the guidelines issued by the UGC.
An Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) should be set up in every college/university/educational institution.
While the provision already exists, it has not been fully implemented.
The UGC recommended that at the time of admission, students should obtain a booklet with comprehensive information on policies and guidelines for proper conduct.
– In case of emergency, this should include contact information for ICC members, student counsellors, anti-ragging cell, health center and other university officials.
Professional counseling services should be available on campus to treat the psychological and emotional difficulties of the students.
– To track the conduct and activities of students, staff and visitors, all public areas on campus including roads, libraries, playgrounds, playgrounds, libraries and parking lots should be covered by CCTV, with a centralized monitoring system is. ,
As stated in the UGC guidelines, HEIs are required to submit a quarterly report to the UGC regarding the steps taken to ensure the safety of women staff and students on campus.
– HEI campuses should have adequate women security officers from reputed security companies.
Higher education institutions should provide more female dormitories, and all girl students who need to stay in hostels should have access.
– When campuses are located in remote, outlying or isolated areas, the need for boundary walls is especially necessary to ensure student safety.
With regard to on-campus sexual harassment and gender-based bias, universities should promote a zero-tolerance policy.
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