Bhubaneswar, July 31: In a crucial step towards fostering a safer and more accountable environment in higher educational institutions, the Odisha Higher Education Department has issued a stern directive to all colleges and universities in the state. Institutions are now mandated to upload comprehensive details of harassment complaints and their resolution status on the She-Box portal—an initiative of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development.

The move comes in the aftermath of a recent tragic incident at Fakir Mohan College in Balasore, which underscored the urgent need for stronger mechanisms to address gender-based harassment on campuses.

According to the directive, all higher educational institutions and department-level offices must upload detailed records, including the composition of their Internal Complaints Committees (ICC), details of any Local Committees (where applicable), the total number of complaints received under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, and the number of cases resolved.

The deadline for compliance is set for August 1, 2025. The department has emphasized that failure to meet the requirements will be viewed seriously. This initiative aims to enhance transparency, strengthen accountability, and ensure the effective implementation of gender-safety laws in academic institutions.

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