Bhubaneswar- In a strong response to a tragic case of alleged sexual harassment and delayed action, the Odisha government has directed all universities and colleges in the state to step up women’s safety measures on campus. The Higher Education Department has issued instructions mandating sensitization workshops on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and UGC Regulations, 2015.
These workshops are to be conducted within three days and must include teaching and non-teaching staff, internal committee members, and students. Participants are expected to take a pledge to uphold the principles of the Act and related regulations.
Additionally, all institutions have been asked to prominently display the women’s helpline number 181 at key locations across their campuses. A standard format for this display has been provided by the government to ensure uniformity and visibility.
This urgent directive follows a heartbreaking incident in Balasore where a 20-year-old B.Ed student of FM Autonomous College succumbed to severe burn injuries after an alleged attempt at self-immolation, reportedly due to unresolved sexual harassment. The incident has sparked widespread public outrage and prompted the government to take immediate preventive steps.
