UGC directs universities to send an annual report on cases of sexual harassment

The universities have been directed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in which they been told to send an annual report on cases of sexual harassment for the period ending March 31, 2018. Universities have to fix the number of cases of sexual harassment reported to the committee, number of cases which were disposed of, and number of cases which were left pending for more than 90 days.

Details of the action taken in response to a reported case of sexual harassment needed to be provided by the universities. The number of workshops on awareness and programmes against sexual harassment conducted on campus in the stated period also would be including in report. Universities are also required to send details of the constitution of their Internal Complaints Committee to UGC.

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According to UGC (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015 the annual report is to be filed. The UGC had made it mandatory for colleges and universities to constitute an internal complaints committee and a Special Cell in their respective institutions to address gender based violence and conduct gender sensitization programmes.

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