Move to promote gender justice, safe campuses at educational institutions in A.P.

The idea was to build gender-neutral, safe and inclusive campuses through structured policy implementation, sensitisation and community engagement.

Ms. Sailaja opined that despite the existence of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act) and the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment Act, 2013 (POSH Act), people were unaware of the roles, responsibilities, rights and procedures. Many issues and concerns pertaining to harassment meted out at girls never came to light because of the social stigma attached, threats and retaliation, she said and called out for efforts to ensure every woman feels safe, respected and empowered.

Ms. Suez said the POSH Act should not remain a policy on paper, but it should become a practical, active safeguard in work places and communities.

The Women’s Commission is launching new initiatives such as student volunteers’ network, slogan and creative communication competitions, awareness and orientation on Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), legal-aid and gender justice clubs and annual student safety audit.

The Commission has also planned ‘Women Empowerment’ activities from March 2 to 7. Statewide programmes would be conducted, including slogan competitions and community outreach, culminating in a walkathon on the International Women’s Day on March 8.

Under policy and welfare measures, it would ensure implementation of maternity and menstrual leave policies, legal aid systems, psychological support, addressing harassment issues and targeted interventions for girl student dropouts.

Under innovation and start-up approach, it would encourage students to develop solutions for gender-related challenges through start-up frameworks and under monitoring and evaluation, it would review government schemes on women empowerment and conduct periodical implementation reviews.

It was also decided to strengthen ICCs in institutions, make the POSH Act sensitisation programmes mandatory, develop robust grievance redressal mechanisms, conduct annual campus safety audits and establish ‘Campus Ambassadors’ and ‘Gender Justice Clubs’ with faculty as mentors.

The meeting emphasised on institutional accountability, legal awareness and student participation to ensure safe academic environments. ​Compliance reports would be submitted to APSCHE and the A.P. Women’s Commission.