The Odisha government has directed all higher education institutions in the state to establish internal complaint committees to address allegations of sexual harassment. This initiative comes in response to a recent incident at Utkal University, where a female student reported harassment by a faculty member.
On Monday, the state’s Higher Education Department issued a formal communication to the registrars of public and private universities, as well as to the principals of colleges and teacher education institutes. The letter emphasizes the need for compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, which mandates the formation of such committees in all workplaces.
According to the directive, each institution must submit compliance reports by September 30, 2024. The internal complaint committees will play a crucial role in fostering a safe and respectful environment for both students and employees. The Act specifies that these committees must include a senior female employee as the presiding officer, at least two employees, and one member from an NGO or association dedicated to women's rights.
The need for this directive was underscored by the recent case at Utkal University, where the internal committee investigated the harassment complaint and subsequently suspended the faculty member involved based on its findings. This proactive approach by the Odisha government aims to ensure that educational institutions remain safe spaces for learning and development, reinforcing the importance of addressing and resolving issues of sexual harassment effectively.