Display Women’s Helpline Number 181 within campuses: Odisha Higher Education dept

Bhubaneswar: After a 20-year-old student from FM College in Balasore tragically lost her life after setting herself on fire due to alleged sexual harassment, the Odisha Higher Education Department has issued certain directives to all universities and colleges under its jurisdiction.

The department has asked the institutions to display Women’s Helpline Number 181 at prominent locations within campuses and organize awareness workshops on the POSH Act, 2013 to educate students and staff about the prevention of sexual harassment in educational institutions.

The department has also emphasized the importance of sensitization regarding workplace sexual harassment. Institutions have been instructed to organize awareness workshops on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, commonly known as the POSH Act.

As per the official letter, registrars and principals of all higher education institutions are directed to ensure that:

The helpline number 181 is clearly displayed at important spots across campuses.

Strict adherence is maintained to the POSH Act, 2013, along with compliance to the related guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Awareness workshops must be organized involving all students, teaching and non-teaching staff, and members of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).

Participants must take a pledge to uphold and follow the rules of the POSH Act sincerely.

Additionally, institutions have been instructed to submit a detailed report of the awareness program to the Higher Education Department within three days of the event.

This initiative is part of the department’s broader strategy to create a safer and more inclusive educational environment, especially for women, by ensuring greater awareness and accountability on campuses.