LDF government sits on panel report to ensure gender justice

KOZHIKODE: The Kerala State Higher Education Council, that is yet to be reconstituted, is unable to implement expert panel reports that were submitted before the LDF Government took over. Council officials confirmed that the government has not given approval for the report on gender justice prepared by the panel, chaired by Prof. Meenakshi Gopinath, director of WISCOMP and former principal of Lady Sri Ram College, New Delhi. The report was prepared in December 2015 and submitted on March 2016 with MG University pro vice-chancellor Dr Sheena Shukkur as the convener.

The panel was convened on the background of the allegations of gender injustice in campuses across the state. The committee had found out that Kerala, despite its highest literacy rate and positive Human Development Indicators, sadly reflects a stark lack of sensitivity to gender issues on its educational campuses. "Of particular concern is the prevalence of cultures of silence and impunity on gender-based violence and an alarming acceptance of misogyny within the Higher Education space."

Panel recommendations included setting up of gender sensitisation unit within its office to act as a nodal division to implement the policy of zero tolerance of gender-based violence on campuses. Another suggestion was to provide assistance and oversight for the functioning of the complaints committees against sexual harassment on campuses. However, KSHEC research officer Dr Chitra L said that no academic activities of the Council were happening as it was yet to be reconstituted. The government has not given any explanation for refusing to accept the panel report, she said. As the Council is functional, they are not able to take up the matter further.