Mangaluru
Mangalore University is planning to organise mass awareness and training programmes for their faculty, to counter the rising sexual harassment cases filed against professors by students and PhD scholars and colleagues.
At the syndicate meeting held recently, it was decided to conduct training and awareness drives in all postgraduate (PG) and undergraduate (UG) colleges under Mangalore University, in association with the university’s Centre for Women’s Studies.
Ramesh K, syndicate member, said that a decision was taken in this regard, while discussing a sexual harassment case involving a senior professor. The syndicate members felt the need to create awareness on the subject.
“The training programme for non-teaching and teaching staff will focus on sexual harassment at workplace, measures to be taken to prevent instances of it, and how to report such cases,” said Ramesh.
Though colleges have constituted committees under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013, the varsity has noticed that a majority of the colleges do not conduct meetings regularly. “We want them to know their responsibilities, through this awareness and training programme,” said Ramesh.
P S Yadapadithaya, vice-chancellor of Mangalore University, said that an awareness and training programme by experts will commence in May. “Mangalore University has zero-tolerance towards sexual harassment or misconduct,” he stressed.
A professor said, “Once a complaint is registered with the Internal Complaints Committee, the issue is discussed in the MU syndicate. Many cases may go unreported. Often, the survivor is under tremendous pressure to not file a complaint.”
Meanwhile, plans are on to train its staff in GST and PWD tender work process, and other administrative related works.
