UGC urges colleges to take action, report compliance on sexual harassment prevention guidelines

All higher educational institutions (HEI) are instructed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to submit details regarding their compliance with sexual harassment prevention regulations. Colleges can submit the compliance details for the 2024-25 academic year in the form available on the SAKSHAM portal (saksham.ugc.ac.in) and the UAMP portal (uamp.ugc.ac.in).

The UGC has asked all HEIs to take necessary actions regarding sexual harassment in colleges and universities. The steps issued by UGC advisories are given below.

• To constitute an internal complaints committee (ICC) and a women’s cell for reporting gender-based violence.

• To display banners and posters around the campus to sensitise employees and students about gender-based violence.

• To display names and contact details of ICC members on notice boards in the institution.

• To place a billboard depicting the legal repercussions of sexual harassment. It should include a toll-free number available for reporting.

• To display the women’s helpline number and the emergency response support number for ease of access.

• To hold training programmes to raise awareness about sexual harassment and prevention.

• To upload the following documents on their portal:

1. "Sexual harassment of women at workplace (prevention, prohibition, and redressal) act, 2013

2. University grants commission (prevention, prohibition, and redressal of sexual harassment of women employees and students in higher educational institutions) regulations, 2015

3. Details of the ICC, with contact information of its constituent members.

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Sexual harassment is a violation of the fundamental right to equality, as granted by articles 14 and 15 of the constitution. It is also a violation of the “right to life and to live with dignity”, as granted by article 21. In this regard, the UGC has laid down guidelines and regulations towards the protection of female employees and students. HEIs are to submit their regulation compliance at the earliest.