The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all the Universities and colleges affiliated to them to celebrate International Women’s Day for one week starting from 01st March. The Universities and colleges have been asked to organize various events from 01st March to 07th March and 08th March to celebrate women empowerment. Every year, the 08th of March is observed as International Women's Day globally to celebrate the political, cultural, economic and social achievements of women.
The UGC has suggested activities like Marathon, street plays, cultural events, debates, quizzes, lectures, workshops etc throughout the week. In addition to the aforementioned activities, the colleges can also organise other activities such as women’s health, equality, gender sensitisation, women’s safety & security, women empowerment, education, health etc. The Universities and colleges have been given the freedom to make the requisite arrangements for the activities and the report for the same must be uploaded at the UGC’s University Activity Monitoring Portal on or before 09th March 2020. The colleges and Universities can upload video links, photos etc to showcase the activities conducted by them.
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In recent years, the UGC has initiated several steps to increase women’s participation in higher education. Introduction of three specific fellowships and scholarships for girl research scholars and students are few of those. A scheme for the development of Women’s Studies Centres in Indian colleges and universities have also been introduced by the UGC. Ten Chairs will also be established by the UGC in different universities in the name of prominent women personalities.
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The Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions Regulations 2015 was implemented by the UGC in the same year. Guidelines for Gender Champions in Educational Institutions have also been issued by the UGC.