Univs sensitise students, faculty, staff on POSH Act
2
Bhubaneswar: In the wake of a college student's self-immolation in Balasore over alleged sexual harassment by her head of department, state govt has urged universities and colleges to intensify awareness about the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, or POSH Act and measures to lodge complaints.
Universities have started holding meetings, workshops and seminars to sensitise students, staff and other stakeholders to create safe campuses for women. While some of them have already conducted sensitisation programmes, others plan to carry out such activities.
Utkal University on Friday conducted a seminar-cum-workshop on the POSH Act to raise awareness about workplace rights while promoting a safer, gender-sensitive environment within the academic space.
Jointly hosted by the internal complaints committee (ICC) and the Post Graduate Council, experts explained the institutional framework and responsibilities of the ICC in handling harassment cases. They emphasised the importance of timely redressal and institutional support for complainants.
Sambalpur University conducted a workshop on the Act this week, where experts highlighted different forms of harassment, including visual, verbal and non-verbal, and spoke on inappropriate behaviour such as unwanted messages and comments on appearance.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Passive Income Ideas Sitting at Home
Mone
Undo
"We are planning to organise another workshop in Aug. Besides, we have strengthened the CCTV surveillance system, ensured proper lighting on the campus and a robust grievance redressal mechanism," said vice-chancellor Bidhu Bhusan Mishra.
On July 22, a gender sensitisation workshop was organised by the ICC of Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, to raise awareness and understanding about gender discrimination and create a more sensitive and inclusive environment.
"There is a dire need to eradicate all forms of gender bias and foster a culture of mutual respect on the campus," said VC Santosh Kumar Tripathy.
Berhampur University also conducted an awareness meeting on the POSH Act on July 19. The university has decided to hold a sensitisation meeting on the Act every quarter, involving students and teachers. It has installed complaint boxes in different departments, hostels and other places and urged students to lodge their grievances.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
9 minutes ago
- The Hindu
It does not behove Governor to say 'Himachal will become Udta Punjab': CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday (July 28, 2025) took strong exception to the recent remarks of Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on drug menace in the State and said that it does not behove a person holding a constitutional office to make such statements. The Governor had, on Thursday (July 24, 2025), expressed his displeasure over the "lack of government rehabilitation centres" in the State and warned that if immediate action is not taken to eradicate drug menace, Himachal Pradesh would become "Udta Punjab" in the next five years. Himachal Pradesh suffers losses of ₹1500 crore during ongoing monsoon season Pointing out the cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act rose by 340% from around 500 in 2012 to about 2,200 in 2023, the Governor had said, "There is only one rehab run by the Red Cross in Kullu. We have been hearing that land is being identified to set up a rehabilitation centre in Sirmaur district, but nothing is moving on the ground." Talking to mediapersons in Shimla, Mr. Sukhu said, "The Governor is holding a constitutional and dignified office and we respect him. But making such statements does not behove him. We should all respect the people of Himachal Pradesh." At least 7 killed, 27 injured as bus rolls down into gorge in Himachal Detailing his government's efforts to curb drug use in the State, Mr. Sukhu said, "No previous governments have done what we have done against the drugs. Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, which enables the detention of repeat offenders involved in drug-trafficking, was invoked for the first time in Himachal Pradesh within three months after the formation of the Congress government," he said. The Chief Minister informed that ₹43 crore worth of illegally acquired properties of drug-traffickers have been seized and directions were given for mapping of all the 3,575 panchayats in the State. A head constable as well as a constable would be deployed for every 5-6 panchayats to dedicatedly work against drug abuse. 'The mapping would reveal a drug abuser and the source of drugs,' he said. "I will also apprise the Governor of steps taken against drug abuse and inform him that several non-governmental organisations are working in this direction. For the first time, a Nasha Nivaran Kendra (State-level model drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centre) was opened at Kotla Barog in Pachhad sub-division of Sirmour district," he said.
Indian Express
9 minutes ago
- Indian Express
2 nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh on conversion charges; ‘targeted for their faith,' claims Rahul Gandhi
The arrest of three people – including two nuns – in Chhattisgarh on conversion allegations has snowballed into a political row, with Opposition Congress calling it 'systematic persecution of minorities'. The arrested people have been identified as nuns Preeti Marry and Vandana Francis, and another person, Sukaman Mandavi. An FIR was registered on the back of a complaint from a local Bajrang Dal worker who alleged the suspects had 'forcibly converted' three women from Narayanpur district and were attempting to traffic them. 'An FIR has been registered against them under relevant sections of the Chhattisgarh Religious Freedom Act and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act,' a GRP official said, adding that when questioned, the victims had alleged that they had been promised jobs and were being taken to Agra, and that one of the suspects had brought them to Durg station. The arrests have drawn a backlash, with Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi claiming that the nuns were being 'being targeted for their faith'. 'It reflects a dangerous pattern: systematic persecution of minorities under this regime,' he said on X, calling it the 'RSS-BJP mob rule'. 'UDF MPs protested in Parliament today. We will not be silent. Religious freedom is a constitutional right. We demand their immediate release and accountability for this injustice.' All India Congress Committee general secretary KC Venugopal also made similar allegations. 'UDF MPs held a strong protest outside Parliament today against the shocking arrest and harassment of Catholic nuns in Durg in Chhattisgarh. They were targeted by a violent mob despite no wrongdoing. By the BJP-RSS ecosystem, all minorities are treated as criminals and lumpen elements are unleashed to intimidate fellow citizens practising their faith. This jugalbandi between Bajrang Dal goons and the police in Chhattisgarh shows the BJP's real intent towards religious minorities,' he said, adding: 'We demand their immediate release and justice for the innocent nuns'.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
'I am certainly...': Atlanta inventor Julian Brown 'missing' for two weeks, his last post triggers suspense
Where is Julian Brown, a young Atlanta inventor. According to reports, he has been missing for past two weeks. A young inventor from metro Atlanta, Julian Brown, has gone missing for nearly two weeks shortly after he posted a cryptic message that he was "certainly under attack". Brown recently rose to fame for his ingestion of 'Plastoline' a technology that converts plastics into gasoline or other usable fuels like diesel, jet fuel etc. Brown, on his social media, posted that some "very, very odd stuff" was happening to him and he was "certainly under attack". This tell-tale post was shared from his account on July 9. He asked his followers to keep their eyes open as he could not reveal anything else at that time. He said he was still working and building and nothing would stop him. Social media users raised alarm that something bad might have happened to Julian because of what he was creating. "The influencer and scientist Julian Brown also known as naturejab did not post anything after around 2 weeks. His last post was a leak of his drivers license. He produced gasoline out of plastic waste and was concerned people will try to stop him," one wrote. FBI director Kash Patel and deputy director Dan Bongino were tagged on social media posts urging the FBI leadership to look for Julian Brown. Not much is known about the disappearance of the young inventor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo It is also not confirmed whether his disappearance is only from social media as there is no report of any missing report filed so far. Who is Julian Brown ? Julian Brown is a 21-year-old inventor from Chicago, known for developing a process to convert plastic waste into fuel, specifically an alternative to diesel called "Plastoline." He is the founder of Naturejab, a company focused on environmental solutions, and Jabaroma, a business producing 100% natural body products. Brown has been recognized as a 776 Climate Fellow and is based in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. His work involves microwave pyrolysis of plastic waste to create fuel, which he showcased on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
