New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) had set up a Task Force under the Chairmanship of Prof. Meenakshi Gopinath, Ex-Member, UGC to review the existing arrangements for the safety and security of girls and women in particular and of the entire youth in general on campuses of institutions of higher learning. The Task Force submitted its report titled as “SAKSHAM- Measures for Ensuring the Safety of Women and Programmes for Gender Sensitization on Campuses” to the UGC on 30th October, 2013. A copy of the Report of Task Force is available at http://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/5873997_SAKSHAM-BOOK.pdf .
UGC accepted the recommendations of the Task Force and to ensure compliance of the recommendations of Task Force, UGC notified University Grants Commission (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015. As per these Regulations, it is the responsibility of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to organize training programmes and workshops for the students for gender sensitization as indicated in the SAKSHAM Report.
UGC has, inter-alia, requested Vice-Chancellors of all Universities on 16.02.2018 to provide information regarding introduction of self-defence programmes for women. It has further informed that, as on 26.02.2018, 130 HEIs are running self-defence programmes for women.
This information was given by the Minister of State (HRD), Dr. Satya Pal Singh today in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question.
