In the wake of new guidelines of University Grant Commission (UGC), the Women Cell of Ranchi University (RU) will formulate a new panel soon. According to the RU Women Cell Chairperson, Dr Saraswati Mishra, empanelment of a male person has been made mandatory by the statutory body. At present, there are only four female staffs associated with the Women Cell.
Also, to improve the present status of the cell meant for assisting females in distress, the Head of Women Cell has also written to RU VC, Dr. Ramesh Kumar Pandey. “Though we deal with few cases but it is necessary to provide us with all basic amenities. Even after five years of formation of RU Women Cell, the unit lacks basic facilities like telephone connection, office assistance to keep the record of cases. At present, we just have one room. The charter of demands has been submitted to RU VC way back but nothing has been done about this,” Dr. Mishra said.
Notably, in order to provide safety to women in college campus, RU in 2012 had decided to create a separate Women Cell considering the female students interest. The staff crunch issue which is yet to be resolved often creates hurdle in solving cases, members of RU Women Cell cited.
Dr. Mishra, who is associated with Department of Philosophy, further added, “Besides the shortage of human resource which often create problem in solving the cases, we also need to involve more members in jury as per the norms to resolve the cases on time,”
Notably, girls do not complain about harassment, eve teasing and other concerned issue as most of them are unaware about the presence of Women Cell at various universities and college campuses. According to the UGC norms every college and university campus must have a separate Women Cell and Anti Ragging Unit. It is also one of the vital criteria for getting National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation.
“We regularly conduct workshops and seminars in various colleges regarding the importance of Women Cell describing its functioning. The awareness level about Women Cell among females prevails now. Female students do approach us in time of need. Those cases which are not resolved here at Women Cell are finally sent to State Women Commission, she added.