The Unspoken Crisis: Why India's Campuses Desperately Need Gender Justice

India's bustling higher education campuses are meant to be crucibles of innovation, intellectual growth, and personal development. Yet, beneath the veneer of academic pursuit, a pervasive and often unaddressed crisis lurks: the profound lack of gender justice. Despite legislative frameworks and university guidelines, a significant number of these institutions are failing to provide truly safe, equitable, and empowering environments for all their members.

The issue extends far beyond mere policy documents.

While the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (PoSH Act), and subsequent University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations offer a legal backbone, their implementation on the ground remains alarmingly inconsistent. Many campuses treat these vital provisions as a tick-box exercise rather than a fundamental commitment to safety and equality.

This complacency leaves students, faculty, and staff vulnerable to sexual harassment, discrimination, and a culture of silence.

A primary concern lies with the Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs), the very bodies tasked with addressing grievances. Too often, these committees are poorly constituted, lacking members with the necessary training, sensitivity, or independence.

Members might be appointed based on administrative convenience rather than expertise in gender justice. Worse still, these committees can be subject to institutional pressures, leading to outcomes that protect the institution's reputation over the complainant's well-being. This erosion of trust means that many survivors choose not to report, fearing re-victimization, lack of action, or even direct retaliation – academic or professional – from those in power.

The problem is systemic and deeply rooted.

Gender justice on campuses is not solely about reactive grievance redressal; it demands a proactive, holistic approach. It's about cultivating a culture where gender equality is not just preached but lived, where respect is inherent, and where harassment is unequivocally condemned. This requires ongoing, mandatory gender sensitization programs for all stakeholders – from incoming freshers to senior professors and administrative staff.

These programs must move beyond tokenism, fostering genuine understanding, empathy, and challenging patriarchal norms that often contribute to unsafe environments.

Furthermore, campuses must establish clear, accessible, and confidential reporting mechanisms that inspire confidence. Survivors need robust support systems, including counseling and legal aid, to navigate the often-traumatic reporting process.

Crucially, there must be absolute accountability for institutions that fail to comply with regulations or, worse, actively suppress complaints. Without severe repercussions, the cycle of inaction will continue, perpetuating an atmosphere of insecurity and injustice.

Embedding gender justice is not just a moral imperative; it's an educational one.

An unsafe campus environment stifles academic freedom, hinders intellectual curiosity, and prevents individuals from reaching their full potential. It undermines the very purpose of higher education – to foster critical thinkers and responsible citizens. India's campuses have the opportunity to lead by example, to become beacons of equality and respect.

By taking concrete, sustained steps towards genuine gender justice, we can transform these institutions into truly inclusive spaces where every individual can thrive, free from fear and discrimination.