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UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION

BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG, NEW DELHI-110 002 OFF : (011) 23234019 : (011) 23236350 FAX (011) 23239659 E-mail : cm@ugc.ac.in

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Chairman

D.O. No. F. 91-1/2013 (SU-II) Dear Vice-Chancellors / Directors of the Universities, Dear Principals of the Colleges,

15th February, 2013

As you are aware the UGC has set up a Task Force to recommend measures to ensure the safety of women and youth, and programmes for Gender sensitization on campuses across the country. This is a matter of the highest priority as has been mandated by the Government. As part of its efforts to elicit accurate information to serve as an important input towards this end, we have designed a

questionnaire which is enclosed herewith. You are requested to kindly ensure that this is completed by
your office and sent back to us latest by the 4th of March at gendersensitizationuqc(aqmail.com . Alternatively, the filled in questionnaire may be posted on our site www.uqc.ac.in . The Task Force would like to visit campuses to interact with you and also students, faculty and staff to learn how best to facilitate and support your efforts in this crucial area that requires urgent and significant engagement to assess best practices and also take on board suggestions for the improvement of existing mechanisms of redressal. I have the faith that you are one with the efforts of the UGC in this direction and will be grateful if you can extend all support to the members of the Task Force in terms of access to the members of your community. The Task Force is NOT a grievance redressal mechanism. At this stage its focus is to elicit views and suggestion that will help eradicate the menace of gender based violence on our campuses, root out cultures of impunity and nurture practices that mainstream gender sensitization as an essential and integral part of the teaching-learning practices. Your support will go a long way in strengthening this effort. Thanking you and with best regards, Yours sincerely,

(Ved Prakash)

Encls: As above. To all the Vice-Chancellors of the Universities and Principals of the Colleges covered under Section 2(f) and 12B of UGC.

Draft Questionnaire on Ensuring Safety for Women on University and College Campuses

Dear Vice Chancellor/Principal,

The purpose of this questionnaire is to help the University Grants Commission in its mandate to further the cause of equity in higher education. The UGC is undertaking a review of currently existing arrangements on the campuses of all institutions of higher learning, to ensure the freedom, safety and security of women in particular and of the entire population of young people in general. Accordingly, this questionnaire has been prepared to identify any inadequacies in existing procedures and practices in order to formulate remedial measures to address the concerns of all women, and of the youth who study and live in any UGC recognized and supported institution of higher education. The UGC is grateful for your attention and time in answering the questions below so that your valuable inputs can be an integral part of this review process.

I.

Name of Institution

1) Location a) Urban b) Rural 2) a) Undergraduate b) Postgraduate 3) a) Co-educational b) Women only 4) Number of Women Students enrolled

2) Issues regarding safety of women on Campus Have you received complaints regarding the following problems? 1) Sexual harassment or other forms of gender violence

2) Public transport to/from the institution

3) Lighting in the campus

4) Toilet facilities for women

5) Accommodation for women students

1

6) Health facilities for women students

7) Counselling services for students

Existing Arrangements on Campus for safety of women 1) What institutional arrangements do you currently have to address issues related to the safety of women on campus, whether students or employees?

2) Do you have a policy and procedure for dealing with sexual harassment?

3) If so kindly provide details: a) When was such a policy established?

b) By what guidelines does it function?(Kindly send a copy along with this form)

c) How do you publicize your policy and procedures against sexual harassment?

d) How many meetings of the committee against sexual harassment have been held in the last two years?

e) How many complaints have been received in the last two years?

f)

What is the time frame within which a complaint is addressed?

g) What have been the outcomes of the complaints in the last two years?\

h) What shortcomings have been experienced in this regard?

i)

What suggestions would you have to improve the situation?

j)

Has an annual report of the activities of the committee against sexual harassment been prepared? (Kindly send a copy of the latest report).

IV.

Gender Equality and Sensitization Measures on Campus

1) What measures are in place for raising awareness against harassment or violence in your institution?

2) What measures exist to ensure that women students have equal access to campus facilities such as the library, laboratories, or any campus events at all times?

3) Are there differential timings for male and female hostel residents to return to their respective hostels? What are the differences in the rules for each? For example the number of 'late nights' and 'night outs' allowed.

4) Do you have any suggestions for improving gender equality on campus?

V.

Gender related Courses offered on Campus

1) Are there any courses that focus on women and gender related topics in any of the departments or centres of your institution? (List these).

2) Is there a Women's Studies Centre/Department or Women's Development Cell in your institution? If so kindly provide details. 3

VI.

Any other comments or suggestions for the consideration of the UGC.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to this questionnaire. Kindly return it by e-mail or post preferably by February 28 th and latest by March 7th 2013:

Name/Signature: Date: Place: