November 8, 2024
The
Women’s Cell & Internal Complaints Committee (ICC):
As
per UGC Regulations (Prevention, prohibition and Redressal of sexual harassment
of women employees and students in higher educational institutions), 2015, it
has been mandated that it is the duty of all employers to prevent as well as
avert any kind of sexual harassment in campus and to offer resolution,
settlement and prosecution of any sexual harassment acts, particularly
following Vishaka guidelines (JT 1997 (7) SC 384), and take necessary steps as
and when required so as to promote and develop a conducive academic environment
and ensure respect and dignity of all stakeholders. Shri Kala Mahavidyalaya believes in gender justice on campuses and
hence set down norms of respect, non-discrimination and the unacceptability of
any abuse of power along with debate, discussions and dialogue.
A.
As per UGC guidelines & that admitted by Shri Kala Mahavidyalaya authority, the following terms are defined in
this manner:
i)
Gender Discrimination:
Sexual
differences refer to the biological differences and gender differences are
those that are socially or culturally constructed. The sexual and gender
stereotypes are supported and promoted by those having sexist attitudes. Sexism
refers to a prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of sex, particularly
against women. It is an attitude or mindset that exercises male control over
female, headship for the man and subordination for women, and such attitudes
justifies discrimination and violence against women. Sexism restricts promotion
of dignity and worth of women and denies their contribution to society, as well
as makes their rights and opportunities conditional, which results in
vulnerability. Discrimination also occurs in workplace which includes denial of
employment to women due to women’s reproductive role, or rigidity in attitude
which may hinder the reproductive role of women (such as non-flexible work
hours & timings, denial for maternity leave etc)
ii)
Sexual harassment:
‘Sexual
harassment’ means ‘an unwanted conduct with sexual undertones if it occurs or
which is persistent and which demeans, humiliates or creates a hostile and
intimidating environment or is calculated to induce submission by actual or
threatened adverse consequences and includes any one or more or all of the
following unwelcome acts or behavior (whether directly or by implication)’,
namely,
1. Any unwelcome physical, verbal or
non verbal conduct of sexual nature,
2. Eve teasing or gender based insults,
3. Forcible physical touch or molestation,
4. Demand or request for sexual
favours,
5. Making sexually coloured remarks,
6. Showing pornography or other
offensive/derogatory pictures, cartoons, pamphlets or sayings.
7. Jokes or taunts likely to cause
awkwardness or embarrassment.
Sexual
harassment may also indicate implied or explicit promise of sexual favours, or
detrimental treatment in the conduct of work. It involves creating an
intimidating offensive or hostile learning environment and humiliating
treatment likely to affect the health, safety, dignity, or physical integrity
of the person concerned.
iii)
Ensuing Gender Amity:
The
key motto of Women’s Cell and ICC is to ensure Gender Amity. Gender amity
implies gender sensitivity and gender justice. Gender sensitivity refers to long-term
awareness and insights into the state of other sex and gender and develops a
non-judgmental & appreciative attitude to women. Gender justice implies
ensuing non-hierarchical and non-discriminative perspective towards women.
B.
Composition of ICC:
Complying
with the UGC guidelines, the Governing Body of Shri Kala Mahavidyalaya has formed an Internal Complaints Committee
(ICC) under sub regulation (1) of regulation 4 of UGC regulations. The tenure
of ICC is three years. The purpose of the committee is to investigate as well
as recommend actions on acts of sexual harassment of any kind, against any
individual.
The Women’s
Cell & ICC will have the following composition (w.e.f October, 2019):
1. Miss. Nilima Kannake, Presiding
Officer, ICC & Member, IQAC.
2. Mr. Narhari Raut, Member, IQAC.
3. Mr.. Santosh Kanoje, Member, IQAC.
4. Mr. Atul Udade, Social Workar.
5. Mr. Ashwin Bhoyar, Administrative
Staff
6. Mr. Nikhil Ambulkar, Administrative
Staff
7. Mr. Saurabh Kamlesh Gupta, Student
8. Miss. Kranti haribhau dahake,
Student
9. Miss. Achal Arunrao Thakare, Student
C.
Objectives of Women Cell & ICC, Shri Kala Mahavidyalaya :
1. To create awareness regarding
women’s rights and health attentiveness.
2. To offer counseling and alertness
relating to legal issues to women stakeholders.
3. To build self esteem and develop
sense of dignity among the girl students and female employees.
4. To check happening of sexual
harassment at workplace and neighboring areas.
5. To organize programmes on health,
hygiene, personal counseling and gender awareness.
6. To understand and progressively
engage with issues of gender.
7. Identify discriminatory attitudes or
behaviors towards female student/employee.
8. To initiate dialogue and promote
gender awareness within the campus.
9. To provide support and create an
environment for sharing anxieties, problems and difficulties faced by
stakeholders on account of gender and sexuality.
10. To organize workshops/seminars at
regular intervals relating to gender awareness and gender sensitization.
D.
Process for making Complaint:
The
ICC shall comply with the UGC Regulations (Prevention, prohibition and
Redressal of sexual harassment of women employees and students in higher
educational institutions) Regulations, 2015, for making a complaint and
inquiring into the complaint in a time bound manner.
1. An aggrieved person is required to
submit a written complaint to the ICC within three months from the date of the
incident and in case of a series of incidents within a period of three months
from the date of last incident.
2. In case where such complainant
cannot be made in writing, the Presiding Officer or any member of the ICC shall
render all reasonable assistance to the person for making the complaint in
writing.
3. In case where the aggrieved person
or the victim is unable to make a complaint on account of physical or mental
incapacity or death, the victim’s friends’ or colleague or relatives or
co-student or any other associate of the victim may file the complaint in such
situations.
E.
Punishment and Compensation:
If
any employee is found guilty of sexual harassment, he/she shall be punished in
accordance with the service rules of Department of Higher Education, Maharashtra.
In
case a student is found guilty of sexual harassment of any kind, the College
may,
1. Withhold privileges of the student
such as access to the library, auditorium, halls of residence, transportation,
scholarships, allowances and identity card.
2. Suspend or restrict entry into the
campus for a specific period.
3. Expel and strike off name from the
institutional roll, including denial of readmission, if the offence so
warrants.
4. Award reformative punishments like
mandatory counseling, and, or performance of community services. In special
cases, the aggrieved person is also entitled to a payment of compensation. The
Principal, Shri Kala Mahavidyalaya shall
issue directive of payment of the compensation recommended by the ICC, which
may be recovered from the offender. The compensation payable shall be
determined on the basis of:
1. Mental trauma, pain, suffering and
distress caused to the aggrieved person.
2. The loss of career opportunity due
to the incident of sexual harassment.
3. The medical expenses incurred by the
victim for physical, psychiatric treatment.
4. The income and status of the victim.
The feasibility of such payments in lump sum or in
installments.