In order to comply with the guidelines of University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Supreme Court, the Bharathidasan University has directed all affiliated colleges in the region to form permanent cells to prevent sexual harassment against women.
On Saturday, a Committee Against Sexual Harassment (CASH) was launched at the Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College in the city. V.P.T. Dhevika, a faculty member of the college, will head the panel.
As many as 13 members have been inducted as members including T. Jayanthirani, Member, Tamil Nadu Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Chitra Vijayakumar, advocate, and Allirani Balaji, president, Rotary Club of Sakthi.
Three students will form part of the committee.
As per the guidelines, the committee will meet once every three months and discuss complaints, if any on sexual harassment or abuse. If need be, it will meet as and when it is required.
K. Uthirapathy, Principal District Judge, Tiruchi, who inaugurated the committee, highlighted the need for effective enforcement of the basic human right of gender equality and guarantee against sexual harassment and abuse.
The issue had become a point of debate in many forums in the country. There was a need to create more awareness against wilful act of verbal or physical harassment against women and children. Stakeholders should be further sensitised on protecting the rights of women and children.
The committee would act as a redress mechanism to receive and enquire into complaints on harassment of women.
J. Radhika, Principal, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College, said the committee was committed to enforce the law on sexual harassment, sensitise the students to gender issues, and address complaints from victims effectively.
