Introduction :-

The Women Redressal Cell addressed also as Anti-sexual harassment committee was established in Waghire College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Saswad in the year 2013-2014 under the chairmanship of Principal Dr. R.M.Misal.

The aim of this committee was prevention, prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment of non-teaching or teaching women employee and student of the college. The committee was established in the college as per the norms of The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, promulgated by the Government of India on 9th December 2013 after the Nirbhaya incident, 2012.

However, based on the aforesaid Act and Saksham report of MHRD, a new regulation was propagated by the UGC on 2nd May 2016 termed University Grants Commission (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of sexual harassment of women employees and students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulation, 2015, all educational institutes need to set up an Internal Complaints Committee.

Hence, The Women Redressal Cell was renamed as The Internal Complaint Committee (ICC). This Committee was established in Waghire College, Saswad in the academic year 2016-2017 under the guidance of Dr. N.L.Ghorpade, Principal of Waghire College, Saswad. The main aim of the ICC is to look into the complaints of sexual harassment occurred within the college campus and also to generate awareness about the issue. The Act has outlined the constitution of the committees, the process to be followed for making a complaint and conducting inquiry into the complaint in a time bound manner.

• As per the UGC regulation, 2015Sexual Harassment means:-

  1. An unwanted conduct with sexual undertones, persistent conduct which demeans, humiliates or creates hostile environment is termed as Sexual Harassment and it includes :-
     • Sexual harassment includes any unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature;
     • Demand or request for sexual remarks;
     • Physical contact and advances; or
     • Showing pornography.
  2. Any one (or more than one or all) of the following circumstances, if it occurs or is present in relation or connected with any behaviour that has explicit or implicit sexual undertones :-
     • Implied or explicit promise of preferential treatment as quid pro or quo for sexual favours;
     • Implied or explicit threat of detrimental treatment in the conduct of work;
     • Implied or explicit threat about the present or future status of person concerned;
     • Creating an intimidating offensive or hostile learning environment;
     • Humiliating treatment likely to affect the health, safety, dignity or physical integrity of the person concerned.

• Functioning of ICC

  • 1. Objectives of the Internal Complaints Committee
       The Internal Complaint Committee is an educational complaint redressal mechanism for the members of faculty, staff and students of the Waghire College. Its objectives are:
       • To provide a neutral, confidential and supportive environment for teaching and non-teaching women employees and thestudents on the campus.
       • To advice complainants of means of resolution as specified by the legislation.
       • To ensure fair and timely resolution of sexual harassment complaints.
       • To promote awareness about sexual harassment amongst students of both gender through educational initiatives that encourages and fosters a respectful and safe campus environment.
    2. Procedure for filing or reporting a complaint- The Complaint Mechanism Procedure:
       Any aggrieved woman or student may make, in writing, a complaint of sexual harassment at workplace to the ICC, within a period three months from the date of incident. If she is unable to make a complaint in writing, the ICC will render all reasonable assistance to her for making the complaint in writing. If the ICC is satisfied that the circumstances were such, which prevented the woman from filing a complaint within a period of three months, it may extend the time limit not exceeding three months.
       The complainant needs to submit six copies of the complaint along with the supporting documents and names and addresses of the witnesses to the ICC. On receipt of the complaint, the Committee will send one of the copies to the respondent within a period of seven working days and ask the respondent to file his reply to the complaint along with his list of documents and names and addresses of witnesses, within a period not exceeding ten working days from the date of receipt of the complaint by him. Legal practitioner is not allowed to represent the case at any stage of the proceedings before the Committee.
    3. Who can complain in ICC:
       As per this regulation, teaching, non - teaching staff and students of any gender can make complaint of sexual harassment in writing to the ICC.
    4. Punishment for misconduct including monetary compensation:
       
       • Any employee, if found guilty by the ICC shall be punished as per the service rules.
       • Also, if any student is found guilty, the student will be punished based on the severity of the offence. The student's privileges such as access to library, scholarships, allowances, auditoria, halls of residence, transportation and identity card will be withheld. Also, the student will be suspended or restricted entry in college campus for specific period. Student may also be expelled or denied readmission in the college.
       • Apart from disciplinary action which the ICC recommends to be taken against the guilty employee or student, the law also provides restitution to the aggrieved person for emotional trauma and losses incurred in the form of monetary compensation.
    5. Composition of College ICC:-

       Name	Position
       Dr. Bhagyashri Madbhavikar	Chairman
       Dr. Nita Patil	Member
       Dr. Vidya Patankar	Member
       Prof. (Dr.) Nanasaheb Pawar	Member
       Prof. Rushikesh Kumbhar	Member
       Prof. Manisha Jagdale	Member
       Prof. Varsharani Jagtap	Member
       Prof. Archana Magar	Member
       Smt. Smita Dhawale	Member
       Student Representative	Member

       The boards mentioning the Members names, email ids and mobile numbers and what sexual harassment means is displayed in the corridor of the College office entrance porch for public awareness and also for ensuring smooth conduct of ICC.



• Functioning of ICC in College:

  For ensuring a safe and sexual harassment free environment in the college, every year the ICC has been organizing an awareness programme for the college students. Through this programme the students are made aware of the UGC regulation, 2015 regarding sexual harassment and what sexual harassment actually means. They are also instructed to report any misconduct held against them in the college campus to the ICC verbally and in writing too.
  However, until this date, no cases of sexual harassment have taken place in the college.

• Previous Presiding Officers of College ICC:

  • Dr. Ujwala V.Khisti (HOD, Microbiology department) - 2013-2016
  • Prof. Shaila B. Dhotre (Associate Professor, Chemistry department)- 2017- 2020.
  • Dr. Nita B. Patil (Associate Professor, Microbiology department) - 2020- 2023