Over 700 workshops on gender awareness were conducted in 2020-21: Education Ministry

The Union Ministry of Education takes the gender sensitization and sexual harassment issue very seriously. Gender sensitization and creating awareness about the legal provisions to check the cases of sexual harassment is important among schools and colleges. The University Grants Commission conducts refresher courses and short term courses on gender sensitization for teachers.

Minister of State for Education, Dr. Subhas Sarkar in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, informed that the University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified the University Grants Commission (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of sexual harassment of women employees and students in higher educational institutions) Regulations, 2015.

“UGC has issued advisory to all Universities/ Colleges to conduct gender awareness programmes to sensitise the students and employees about the provisions of The Sexual Harassment of Women at work place (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013,” the Minister said in the parliament.

He added, “UGC Human Resource Development Centres (HRDCs) conduct Refresher Courses and/or Short Term Courses on Gender Sensitization for Teachers. In the year 2020-21, 35 HRDCs conducted Refresher courses/ Short Term Courses on Gender Sensitization. In addition, UGC Human Resource Development Centres (HRDCs) conduct faculty Induction programme for all newly recruited teachers.”

He also said that it has a module on Constitutional Value, Human Rights and Fundamental Duties. “As per the available data, 716 workshops on gender awareness programmes were conducted in the colleges during the year 2020-21,” he said.