The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a reminder to the University of Mumbai to form committees and separate cells to deal with issues of gender-based violence and gender-sensitisation programmes that the university has failed to initiate despite numerous communications. The reminder demands that the same be implemented and the UGC be informed of the progress on the same.
The reminder by Ved Prakash, chairman of UGC addressed to the vice-chancellor/director drew the attention towards the report Saksham: Measures for Ensuring Safety of Women and Programmes for Gender Sensitisation on Campuses and said that despite numerous communications some instances that were against the guidelines had occurred.
“Of late, some unfortunate incidents which are not in conformity with the spirit of the measures suggested have come to the notice of the UGC in spite of guidelines issued by it. These instances de-accelerate the very purpose of the type of mission and discourage women students in a majority of cases to go for further studies, which is against the spirit of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao drive launched by the Government of India,” said Mr Prakash.
He further added, “I request you to ensure the campus of your university is free of any incident that is in violation of the guidelines issued and campus environment is conducive and safe for all students, especially girl students.” In response to the UGC reminder, a university official said that work on setting up of the committees and cells was in progress and would be updated on the university website as and when in place. “The university gives paramount importance to the safety of the girl students and will take all steps required for their well-being and safety,” said the official.
