Educational institutions in India play a crucial role in fostering a society free from discrimination and violence. Individuals with access to education are better equipped to identify and address discriminatory practices. Research shows that expanding educational opportunities for girls leads to significant reductions in domestic violence, with education playing a key role in shaping more equitable gender attitudes and empowering vulnerable groups with the knowledge and confidence to seek support when needed.
According to the National Commission for Women (NCW) annual report for 2022-2023, 30,693 complaints of crimes against women were received, underscoring the severity of the issue. In this context, the importance of educational spaces in fostering an environment that empowers young minds and promotes gender awareness is particularly relevant.
However, the reality on educational campuses often contrasts with this ideal. Many students, particularly women and marginalised groups, still face sexual harassment and assault in these spaces. Sexual harassment remains one of the most under-reported issues in HEIs. A study published in the Asian Review of Social Sciences suggests that a significant number of sexual harassment incidents in educational institutions go unreported due to factors such as social stigma, fear of disgrace and blame.
Sexual harassment on campuses undermines the safety, dignity, and educational opportunities of both students and faculty. It takes various forms, including inappropriate comments, physical advances, and abuse of power, creating hostile environments that disproportionately affect women and marginalised groups. The Saksham Report by the UGC highlights sexual harassment as a manifestation of power abuse, emphasising the unique vulnerabilities of students. Universities are not just workplaces for faculty and staff; they are spaces where students learn, grow, and realise their potential. The Saksham Report also notes that vulnerabilities to harassment are often compounded by other factors such as class, caste, rural location, minority identity, and sexuality.
The UGC’s 2015 Regulations for the Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal of Sexual Harassment in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) aim to ensure safe and gender-just campuses. These guidelines mandate establishing Internal Committees (ICs), conducting awareness programmes, and having accessible reporting mechanisms. Despite these frameworks, implementation remains inconsistent, leaving gaps in compliance and awareness. Many students are unaware of redressal mechanisms, and in some cases, such mechanisms are entirely absent.
According to official reports, as of 2023, India has 1,113 universities and 43,796 colleges. Yet, between April 2022 and March 2023, the University Grants Commission (UGC) received annual reports from only 238 universities and 372 colleges. These reports revealed that over 1,599 awareness workshops were held during this period, underscoring a growing emphasis on fostering safer campuses. Furthermore, the reports highlighted 425 complaints of sexual harassment received across these institutions, with 424 cases resolved. While this number indicates that reporting mechanisms are in place, it likely represents only a fraction of the actual problem. Many incidents of sexual harassment remain unreported due to stigma, fear, or lack of awareness about redressal systems.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in efforts by colleges and universities to create safer and more inclusive educational environments. However, challenges persist. In 2025, the UGC’s Regulations for the Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal of Sexual Harassment in Higher Education Institutions will mark its 10th anniversary, yet only a small proportion of educational institutions are fully complying with this mandate. This emphasises the ongoing need for continued training, policy enforcement, and effective reporting mechanisms to ensure comprehensive support and heightened awareness surrounding sexual harassment in educational settings.
To address this issue and the gaps that persist in HEIs, the Martha Farrell Foundation (MFF) launched the Safe Campus Programme, an initiative aimed at transforming educational spaces into inclusive and safe environments. Aligned with the UGC Guidelines 2015 and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, the programme focuses on gender sensitisation and the establishment of robust anti-harassment mechanisms. MFF’s commitment to fostering a culture of safety and respect has led to significant collaborations with institutions across the country.
In January 2020, in partnership with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University in Raipur, Chhatisgarh, MFF organised a national consultation on implementing UGC guidelines on gender equality and sexual harassment prevention. This event led to the AIU-MFF Safe Campus Program, which has since then trained nearly 600 faculty members from over 130 HEIs and oriented 10,000+ students on the UGC Guidelines 2015 and the PoSH Act 2013.
Institutions such as Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwa Vidyalaya, OP Jindal Global University, Bundelkhand University, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Institute for Physically Challenged, Pandit RaviShankar Shukla University, Satyawati College (Delhi University), New Delhi Institute of Management, Ambedkar University, Delhi, IIM Kolkata, UPES, Dehradun, IISER, Bhopal, IISER Pune, Krea University, KL Mehta Dayanand College For Women and LNM Institute of Information Technology partnered with MFF for the safe campus programme and have demonstrated exemplary commitment to compliance with UGC guidelines.
This initiative goes beyond policies and workshops; it is about transforming attitudes, changing cultures, giving people knowledge about their rights and enabling a safe space. Through its comprehensive approach—training, policy review, and capacity building—the Safe Campus Programme strengthens the fight for a society where every individual has the
freedom to learn and grow without fear. At its heart, the programme reflects MFF’s mission to challenge systemic inequalities and build a more just, respectful, and safe world for all.
MFF supports HEIs in creating safer campuses through a range of targeted initiatives. The Student Orientation Training focuses on helping students understand the issue of sexual harassment within educational institutions, recognising consent, boundaries, and appropriate behaviour, and empowering them to act as active bystanders who can report instances of harassment effectively. Similarly, the Faculty and Staff Orientation Training equips faculty and staff with the knowledge to address sexual harassment in the workplace, understand their roles and responsibilities in fostering safe campus environments, and respond appropriately to student complaints.
To strengthen institutional mechanisms, MFF conducts capacity building for Internal Committees (ICs) by clarifying their roles, responsibilities, and composition, and guiding them on enforcing the prevention, prohibition, and redressal of sexual harassment. MFF also helps universities draft and review their policies, to enhance anti-harassment policies and improve institutional communication about their stance against harassment. Additionally, MFF conducts Participatory Gender and Safety Assessments with students and faculties to evaluate existing campus safety measures and identify areas for improvement. Through these comprehensive initiatives, MFF works toward fostering respectful, inclusive, and secure environments in educational institutions.
Creating safe and empowering educational spaces is not just a responsibility but a shared commitment that calls for the collective action of every individual within the institutions—students, faculty, staff, and institutional leadership. Every effort is important in shaping environments where respect, dignity, and safety are the foundation. The Safe Campus Programme is a powerful step toward this vision, as it provides the tools, guidance, and support necessary to address sexual harassment and promote a culture of inclusion. By aligning with key national frameworks such as the UGC Guidelines and the PoSH Act, the programme is a manifestation of MFF’s deep commitment to gender equity and social justice.
Safe Campus Programme-Training at LNM Institute of Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan
