(a) whether the Ministry has set up a Gender Sensitisation Unit within the University
Grants Commission (UGC) which would act as the nodal division for formulation policies
to combat gender discrimination and gender violence in colleges and universities
policies to the country as recommended in the ‘Saksham’ report on Safety of Women
and Gender Sensitisation on Campuses;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Ministry would also consider setting up similar gender sensitisation units
in all Central Universities to create awareness on gender issues and assist victims of
gender discrimination; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? |
| ANSWER |
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that it
has constituted a Gender Sensitization Cell, headed by an Additional Secretary in UGC,
as a nodal unit in UGC on gender issues.
(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. The UGC has informed that it has written letters to Vice-
Chancellors of all Universities on 28th January, 2015 and 23rd July, 2015 to constitute
Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to deal with issues of gender based violence, to
conduct gender sensitization programmes and to give effect to a policy of zero tolerance
on campuses for gender based violence and sexual harassment. These
communications are available at http://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/9286213_sexualharassment.
pdf.
The constitution of ICCs in higher educational institutions is also a mandatory
requirement under the recently notified UGC (Prevention, prohibition and redressal of
sexual harassment of women employees and students in higher educational institutions)
Regulations, 2015 in the Gazette of India. The regulations are available at
http://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/1984034_UGC-letter-Rajpatra0001-(2).pdf.
These Regulations prescribe responsibilities of the higher educational institutions,
grievance redressal mechanism, process for making complaint and conducting inquiry,
interim redressal, punishment and compensation, consequences of non-compliance etc.
The regulations are binding on all Universities and colleges. The UGC has requested
Vice-Chancellors of all Universities to ensure implementation of above regulations in
Universities and affiliated colleges.
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