Odisha orders educational institutions to display women’s helpline number ‘181’ on campus

The Odisha Higher Education Department has directed all state universities and degree colleges, including government, aided, unaided, public, and private institutions, to immediately ensure the women’s helpline number "181" is prominently displayed at key locations on their campuses.

The directive, issued through an official letter on July 18, emphasizes that institutions must follow the order without delay.

A soft copy of the display design has also been shared with the institutions to help with uniform implementation.

In addition, colleges and universities have been asked to organize sensitization workshops on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, and UGC Regulations, 2015.

These workshops must include students, teaching and non-teaching staff, and members of the Internal Committee.

Participants at these workshops will also be required to take a pledge to uphold the principles of the POSH Act and UGC regulations.

All institutions have been instructed to conduct the sensitization programs within three days from the date of the order.

Earlier this week, the department had also asked universities and colleges to submit detailed reports on the constitution and functioning of their Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs), as part of a broader push to strengthen safeguards against sexual harassment on campuses.

The heightened focus on women’s safety in higher education comes after a student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore died following a self-immolation attempt.

The student had reportedly been a victim of sexual harassment by a faculty member, bringing renewed urgency to the issue of campus safety in Odisha.