30th May 2023, New Delhi, University Grant Commission (UGC) uploaded a guideline on its official website www.ugc.ac.in yesterday asking all Universities/colleges to implement “Guidelines of Gender Champions in Educational Institutions”. The guideline is an MCWD advisory towards the improving gender-just environment in Academics. Gender champions can be Boys, Girls, or LGBTQ+ above 16 years and Heads of the Institution will be authorized to select them.
In a step to Strengthen sensitizing the society and academic environment for women and the LGBTQ gender, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education prepares “Gender Champions Guidelines”. Gender Champions will advocate gender equality, Justice and monitor women’s progress in Universities or Colleges. As in the role of a leader, they will facilitate to enable the institutions according to girls’ comfortability.
Remember that from time to time Govt. and authorities issue several schemes and Guidelines for women’s equality and justice. The campaign “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” aims protection and education of girls, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is launched as a step toward providing equal opportunities for girl schooling. NCERT has also developed a syllabus to promote Gender Sensitisation. Apart from all Supreme Court of India has also ordered to all Institutions will have to establish the “Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment” (GSCASH ) based on “Vishakha Guidelines”
Union Minister for MCWD (Smriti Jubin Irani) introduced the guidelines in the parliament and said “Indian Government has utmost priority to improve gender sensitivity among youth, reducing the disparity between men and women either in Health, Education or in Socio-economic aspects”. “Gender Champions Guidelines” is so a part of them.
