NCW calls for ensuring women’s safety at higher education centres

The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday organised a state-level consultation session to ensure women’s safety in higher educational institutions in the state. Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson of the commission, urged the stakeholders to come together and work for the safety of women and girls studying in all educational institutions of the state.

She said that various programmes initiated by the commission focusing on the youth were going on in the country such as campus calling programmes that were being held especially in rural areas. She added that the commission was also working for women engaged in various self-help groups.

Vijaya said, “Most of the complaints the commission is receiving from women in the country are of domestic violence. Besides, the complaints of exploitation and harassment at workplace, cybercrime, rape, sexual assault and other heinous crimes are also being reported to the commission, for which we have set up special cells that immediately register complaints and make efforts to ensure justice to women.”

She said that higher educational institutions played a crucial role in shaping the intellectual, social and professional lives of young women. “While access to higher education for women has significantly increased, concerns related to safety, dignity and a harassment-free environment continue to persist on academic campuses,” she added.

The NCW Chairperson said that the aim of the consultation was to review the current status of safety and security measures for women in higher educational institutions, assess the implementation and effectiveness of the POSH Act and internal committees in universities and colleges as well as strengthen coordination between educational institutions, law enforcement agencies and legal stakeholders.

Discussions were also held regarding ensuring enhanced awareness on legal provisions and institutional responsibilities, identifying gaps in safety mechanisms and grievance redress systems, strengthening inter-agency coordination for prevention and response and practical recommendations for policy and administrative action to create safe and inclusive educational spaces for women.