The University Grant Commission vide its notification dated 10th June 2022, has directed all the universities and affiliated colleges to ensure early nomination of ‘Gender Champions’ from among students who will lead efforts to make campus more inclusive and spread gender awareness.
In order to increase the outreach for creating an environment that fosters equal treatment, the government envisages Gender Champions in all educational institutions across the country. Gender Champions can be both boys and girls above 16 years of age enrolled in educational institutions. Gender Champions are envisaged as responsible leaders who will facilitate an enabling environment within their schools/colleges/academic institutions where girls are treated with dignity and respect.
As per the guidelines, the Gender Champions must mainstream gender equality through group discussions poster competitions, and debates, identify and address gender gaps in the classrooms, organise awareness programs such as workshops and films.
Further UGC has directed all the universities to ensure that the Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) constituted in their Esteemed University is working as per UGC (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of sexual Harassment of women employees and Students in Higher Education institutions) Regulations 2015 and to fill an online compliance of Gender Audit on SAKSHAM Portal (i.e.saksham.ugc.ac.in) and also inform the same to their affiliated colleges.
