UGC Directs Higher Education Institutions to Display Sexual Harassment Consequences on Billboard

New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a communication to all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) regarding compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013. The advisory follows previous communications from the UGC on June 5, 2023, June 20, 2023, and January 11, 2023.

The recent communication from the Ministry of Education highlights the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s requests for appropriate action to comply with the orders of the High Court of Orissa.

The High Court of Orissa has directed all central and state government authorities to place a billboard showing the penal consequences of sexual harassment. Additionally, the court has mandated the inclusion of a toll-free number and committed phone numbers to be provided on the billboard.

In response to this directive, HEIs are instructed to take appropriate action to comply with the court’s orders. Furthermore, Women Helpline Number 181 and Emergency Response Support System Number 112 are to be conspicuously displayed for easy access by women in distress.

HEIs are requested to disseminate this information to their affiliated colleges, ensuring strict compliance. The UGC emphasizes the significance of creating a safe and secure environment for women at the workplace, in line with the national commitment to prevent and redress sexual harassment.