UGC directs higher education institutes to strengthen POSH compliance through NCW programme

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all universities and educational institutions to implement the guidelines to prevent sexual harassment of women at workplace. It has asked all department heads to submit status reports on POSH implementation and ensure active participation in National Commission for Women’s (NCW) Campus Calling Programme (CCP), a nationwide initiative to strengthen women’s safety on campus.

The directive comes as NCW, in collaboration with Yuvamanthan, launched the programme aimed at ensuring compliance with Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (POSH Act) across all higher educational institutes.

Institutions must submit their reports on the UGC SAKSHAM portal, including details of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs), sensitisation efforts, complaint redressal mechanisms, and any challenges faced.

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UGC Initiative: NCW plans 800 programmes

The NCW initiative plans to organise nearly 800 programmes all over India, focusing on enhanced training, awareness, legal literacy, digital safety, and leadership development.

Under the programme, institutions must nominate four campus ambassadors who will lead gender equality initiatives within their campuses. These ambassadors will coordinate peer-led activities, organise awareness drives, and conduct counselling sessions.

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How to participate in CCP

• Register and nominate the campus ambassadors by visiting the web portal - www.yuvamanthan.org/NCW
• Facilitate participation in training and program activities
• Coordinate with ICC to align the programme with ongoing gender sensitization work
• Survey participation with related information
• Submission of NCW/Yuvamanthan activity reports

The initiative offers multiple engagement activities, including online certification on gender sensitivity, equality, and POSH; interactive learning activities like Model United Nations sessions, youth parliaments, hackathons, quizzes, workshops by legal professionals and gender rights advocates, and much more.

The guidelines for implementation of the Campus Calling Programme are:

• Ensure HEI-level compliance with the POSH act.
• Strengthen gender sensitization regulations.
• To encourage student-led initiatives that include campus culture.
• Conduct CCP to enhance digital safety and mental health awareness, cyber security and legal literacy.
• To conduct national survey
• Implement the plan at institutional levels and iIdentify the improvement areas.
• Conduct interactive learning activities, workshops and seminars.
• Conduct gender sensitivity ambassador programme

“This implementation plan offers a comprehensive approach to promoting gender sensitivity and workplace safety, combining education, engagement, leadership and community involvement,” a UGC press note said.