HYDERABAD – University of Sindh has finally decided to implement the policy of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to curb sexual harassment in institutions of higher learning.
The move follows the recent allegations leveled by female students against some officials of the university.
On Sunday, the university held a ‘Special Meeting of Syndicate’ chaired by Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Burfat, Vice- Chancellor, whereby important resolution was approved.
Under the resolution, a harassment complaint cell, comprising 10 members would be set up by the vice-chancellor to address the issues in this regard.
As per the HEC’s policy, the panel will be headed by a full-time trained professional, who should preferably be a female. The policy terms sexual harassment a punishable offense which is prohibited at higher education institutions (HEIs).
According to the policy, asking female students to visit personal offices of their supervisors/authorities in-charge after office hours to discuss their grades and assignments or to meet supervisors/authorities in-charge out of institutions’ premises come under harassment.
Threatening a student about character assassination, sexual epithets, jokes, written or oral references to sexual conduct, gossip regarding one’s sex life among other acts also take as harassment under the HEC guidelines.
In October, the apex court’s human rights cell sought details regarding the harassment complaints received and settled by the university.
At the same time, an unsigned letter by three students surfaced on social media accusing many teachers of the varsity of sexual harassment.
After the controversy, Sindh University Teachers Association President Dr Azhar Ali Shah urged the authorities to implement the HEC’s policy. H
The syndicate under Section 3 of protection of women against harassment at workplace Act 2010 set up a three-member committee to investigate the recent allegations. Dean of Faculty of the Social Sciences Department Professor Dr Nagina Parveen, SU Registrar Sajid Qayoom Memon and Bureau of Students’ Tutorial, Guidance/Counseling Services and Co-curricular Activities Director Dr Sumera Umrani are members of the committee.
