The rising crime against women, especially young girls in the state, prompted governor K. Sankaranarayanan to ask authorities of higher and technical education to ensure that women grievance cells in educational institutions were active. He further asked the authorities to make them accessible to the girls and encourage them to bring cases of molestation and sexual harassment to the notice of the concerned authorities immediately. He was speaking at a sensitisation workshop on “Measures to Tackle the Menace of Sexual Crimes against Women” at SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai on Saturday.
He said that apart from the government, parents, society and educational institutions have the responsibility to ensure that girls are safe and supported in their colleges, homes and in society.
Mr Sankaranarayanan asked educational institutions to ensure that women’s grievance cells were active and functioning and also asked them to give confidence to girl students to report incidents like eve-teasing, taunting, use of inappropriate language, indecent gestures, inappropriate contacts etc. to the cell. He added that on the opening day of the college, all girl students should be assured of their safety and security and should be informed of the mechanism to redress their grievances relating to sexual harassment and violence.
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) organised the workshop at the instance of the ministry of human resource development. Varsha Gaikwad, minister for women and child development, D.P. Sawant, minister of state for higher and technical education, Dr S.S. Mantha, chairman of AICTE, Vasudha Kamat, vice-chancellor of SNDT Women’s University and representatives of technical education institutions in the state were present in the workshop.