Bhubaneswar, July 17 (UNI) Aware of the recent suicide of a female student over sexual harassment by a college student in Balasore, snowballing into a major controversy, the School and Mass Education Department of the State Government has asked the district authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of women employees at workplaces and create a secure environment for students, especially girls, in schools.
The department has directed the district education officers (DEOs) across the state to ensure the formation and reconstitution of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in all eligible institutions under their jurisdiction in accordance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
“You (DEO) are instructed to review implementation of the above, along with timely constitution and reconstitution of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in all eligible establishments, and further ensure that all provisions of the Act are followed in letter and spirit at all workplaces under your jurisdiction”, the department instructed in a letter.
“Further, it is also imperative that a safe environment is created in schools for all students, and particularly for girl students, for their physical, mental, and socio-emotional well-being. In this context, BARNALI (Gender Equity Programme) curriculum intended to promote positive gender attitudes and behaviours in students, teachers, and parents and to eliminate gender-based violence is to be strictly followed in all elementary and secondary schools of the state in integration with the social studies curriculum,” it said.
DEOs have also been directed to ensure prominent display of key helpline numbers in all schools, workplaces, and residential hostels.
