Ganderbal, Nov 25: Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Vice Chancellor, Prof Farooq Ahmad Shah on Friday said that holding awareness and sensitisation programmes on sexual harassment and violence against women will immensely help in eliminating these social evils.
“There are stringent laws to check the sexual harassment and abuse against women at homes and workplaces, but such incidents are still increasing with each passing day. The need of the hour is to fully aware girls and women folk about their legal rights and measures to be taken to stop sexual harassment and domestic abuse,” Prof Farooq Ahmad Shah said while addressing the participants during a one-day sensitisation programme organised by the varsity’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to observe the international day on “Elimination of Violence Against Women.” Prof Shah said that females are playing a pivotal role in the socioeconomic growth and development of society and are simultaneously doing a commendable job on the domestic front.
Addressing the gathering, Registrar, Prof M Afzal Zargar said the central university has zero tolerance towards the sexual harassment and abuse of students, scholars, and employees. “The university has established the ICC with a mandate to receive and thoroughly probe the complaints of such nature, if any, and take stringent action against those involved,” he said, adding that the safety of the women is of paramount importance in the institution. Prof. Zargar said that girl students and women are outshining their counterparts in every professional field and duly deserve a special place in society.
Controller of Examinations, and Dean School of Legal Studies, Prof Farooq Ahmad Shah said the rampant sexual harassment, injustices and domestic abuse have turned the lives of females miserable. “Those suffering from these evils should raise their voice and take legal recourse,” he said and asked the participants to take the pledge to highlight such cases so that the perpetrators are booked under law.
Dean Students Welfare and Finance Officer, Dr Mehraj ud Din Shah in his speech called for the framing of more tough and stringent laws to check the growing incidents of rape and other forms of harassment.
Dean School of Life Sciences, Prof. Muhammad Yousuf, asked the ICC members to tread with utmost caution while receiving the sexual harassment complaints and ensure the confidentiality of both the victim and the accused, till the case is settled.
External experts including Dy SP Hqrs, Ganderbal, Mr Ghulam Hassan, Dy SP, Police, Ms Rukhsana Chaudhary, KAS officer and social activist, Ms Mantasha Binti Rashid, Ms Beenish Mehraj from Pledge NGO also spoke on various issues confronting the women. They gave real-life examples of cases filed by some women and the punitive action taken by the law.
ICC Presiding Officer, Dr Mir Insha Farooq said the primary objective of holding the event was to inform the students, scholars and employees about different forms of harassment and the role of ICC in curbing the same. ICC member, Dr Ibraq Khursheed conducted the programme proceedings and also proposed the vote of thanks. Dr Ishrat Bashir moderated the technical session while Ms Pooja acted as rapporteur. The dignitaries later distributed certificates among the participants.