UGC Guidelines for Basic facilities and amenities for a safe, secure environment for Women and Women cells for sensitization, policy implementation, monitoring, and grievance redressal in Higher Educational Institutions

The University Grant Commission (UGC) on December 22, 2022, issued guidelines for Basic facilities and amenities for a safe, secure environment for Women and Women cells for sensitization, policy implementation, monitoring, and grievance redressal in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). The following guidelines have been issued by the UGC: 

1. Students should be provided with a handbook at the time of admission that would contain detailed information about rules and regulations regarding proper conduct and behaviour expected of them. It should list the helpline numbers of ICC members, student counsellors, anti-ragging cell, proctor office, medical emergencies, health centre, canteen, and other university authorities to be approached in case of need.
2. Everyone is concerned about the safety of women. Higher education options are frequently limited by perceptions of risk associated with going “outside the home” for higher education. As a result, efforts by college/university administration to improve the facilities and safety of their campuses for women would increase women’s participation in institutions of higher learning. As a result, infrastructure improvements would be an important component in creating a women-friendly campus.
3. The HEIs should ensure easy access to basic sanitation and hygiene facilities for women such as clean, well maintained and fully functioning separate restrooms equipped with 24 hours tap water supply, soap, covered dustbins, sanitary pad disposal bins, and vending machines in all its buildings.
4. The campus and the adjoining areas should be well-lit. The sports and other playgrounds and public parks should have flood lights.
5. All the buildings, the open public spaces, and other infrastructural amenities including transport, restrooms, footpaths, entry, and exits should be friendly for specially-abled Students. 
6. A sufficient number of female security guards should be hired by credible security firms.
7. All the public spaces on the campus such as streets, libraries, corridors, playgrounds, parks, sports stadia, laboratories, libraries, and parking lots should be under CCTV coverage with a centralized surveillance system to monitor the behaviour and activities of students, staff, and visitors.
8. Every college/university/educational institution must have an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) constituted as per the legal requirements in the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
9. Universities must advocate a zero-tolerance policy with respect to sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination on campus. 
10. The HEIs should try to motivate Women in general and more specifically women from socially disadvantaged groups, or women who are disabled to continue their education by offering scholarships and funding opportunities.
11. The HEIs are supposed to submit a periodic report to UGC in regard to the measures taken for the safety and security of women employees and students on the premises.