12 guidelines to colleges, varsities for girls' safety

The Department of Higher Education has issued a set of 12 guidelines to all the universities and colleges, both government and private, in the State to ensure the safety of girl students and women employees, following the Delhi gang-rape incident.

Higher Education Minister C T Ravi on Thursday told mediapersons that all the colleges would have to mandatorily establish a separate cell to receive and hear complaints of harassment, including sexual harassment, of girl students and women lecturers. They have also been directed to set up a task force.

The cell, comprising senior women lecturers, girl students, parents and eminent persons from society as its members, would meet at least once a week. If complaints seem genuine, the cell will have to immediately file a complaint with the police. In case of prima facie evidence against a staff member, the institution will keep the accused under suspension.

Through the cell and the task force, the colleges have to establish whether the female students and women employees have safe transport arrangements between their homes and the institution.

Colleges should also conduct moral education classes at least twice a week to “build character” among the students. Workshops should be organised to promote sisterhood and brotherhood relationships among students.