Cuttack’s Ravenshaw University has withdrawn an order which stated that women faculty, staff and students must leave the premises of the institution after 5:30 pm, following backlash from the public.
The directive, issued by the registrar of the university and later retracted from taking effect, stated : "No female faculty, staff and students are permitted to remain in the workplace or on campus after 5.30 pm. This decision will remain in place until a formal Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) is issued, which will outline the necessary guidelines and protocols for work hours and safety measures.”
The order was deemed as an unethical measure by many as the order also stated that in case any female student, faculty or staff needed to work after the prescribed work hours, they are required to seek the consent of the concerned department head and provide their willingness to work after the said hour in writing.
The order was issued on July 17 by the Vice Chancellor following a meeting with the Ravenshaw authorities along with members from the Anti-Ragging Committee.
Several sources suggest that the order was announced in the face of the recent unfortunate passing of a A 20-year-old female student at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore who had accused the Head of the Education Department of sexual harassment. She died by suicide on the college campus on Saturday, reportedly over the lack of action taken against the professor.
The 157-year old storied institution was established in 1868 with intermediate classes. Now called Ravenshaw Collegiate School, it became a degree college in 1876 and later was recognised as a state university.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has directed all departments to ensure strict compliance of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013, across all institutions and organizations.
Chief Secretary of Odisha, Manoj Ahuja, addressed all secretaries and district collectors as he called for the strict enforcement of the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Act to promote a safe and inclusive environment in workplaces and institutions, especially for women.
Source: The Indian Express
