Women’s Grievance Redressal, Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Counseling Cell (WGRC)
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara is committed to creating and maintaining a gender-sensitive and congenial democratic working environment in which students, teachers and non-teaching staff can work together in a community free of violence, harassment, exploitation, intimidation and stress. This includes all forms of gender violence, sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex/gender or amongst the same sex members. Every member of the University should be aware that while the University is committed to the right to freedom of expression and association, it strongly supports gender equality and opposes any form of gender discrimination and violence.
To facilitate a gender-sensitive and congenial working environment at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, a Women’s Grievance Redressal, Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Counseling Cell (WGRC) has been formulated which provides an exclusive platform to women employees and girl students to air their grievances either in person or in writing.
The Cell will go beyond its brief of grievance redressal and play a more proactive role towards sensitization of the MSUB community towards gender issues in order to provide a congenial working atmosphere to its women employees. This would be undertaken through organization of seminars and workshops on issues related to women's legal rights, health and empowerment.
Prominent Events:
- WGRC holds sensitization and awareness programmes for students and teaching & non-teaching staff in every academic session in collaboration with Women’s Studies Research Centre(WSRC), MSUB.
- National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi sponsored ONE DAY BASIC TRAINING PROGRAMME ON HUMAN RIGHTS, 24th Feb. 2020 was organized by WGRC where 130 students from across faculties of MSUB were trained about Human Rights.
Objective of the Cell:
- The Cell will deal with the cases/complaints of sexual harassment and any other type of harassment of the female students, teaching and non-teaching women staff of the University.
- Monitor the functioning of ICC (Internal Complaints Committee) constituted in Faculties across the University.
- The Cell shall process all the individual complaints and take suitable action thereon in the manner and mode as per the University Act.
- The Cell shall be accountable to the Vice-Chancellor.
- At least 50 % of the members of the Cell may be women.
- At least one of the members of the Cell may be a person with a legal background.
- The Cell will provide assistance to the Faculty/ Colleges/ Institute for taking preventive steps in the matter of gender discrimination and sexual harassment.
- The Vice-Chancellor shall be the Ex-officio President of the Cell and he/she may appoint a Chairperson and a Secretary from amongst the members of the Cell.
- The Cell may from / review the guidelines / policy for Redressal of the grievance as required from time to time, which may be in accordance with those issued by Supreme Court and Government Agencies.
Women’s Grievance and Counselling Cell
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Commitee for Women’s Grievance Redressal, Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Counseling Cell (WGRC) May 2018
Women’s Grievance Redressal, Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Counseling Cell (WGRC)Activity Report
Internal Complaint Committee under Women’s Grievances Redressal & Counselling Cell.
| Sr. No | Name of Members | Designation |
| 1 | Prof. (Dr.) Bhavna Mehta – Faculty of Social Work – Director - IQAC | Chairperson |
| 2 | Prof. Dhanesh Patel – Dean – Faculty of Technology & engineering | Member |
| 3 | Dr. Archana Gadekar – Faculty of law | Member |
| 4 | Mrs. Shobhana Raval , Gujarat Police Women Councilor, and Chairman Women’s Safety Committee | Member |
| 5 | Dr. Mayanak Vyas – Joint Registrar | Member |
| 6 | Prof. Padmaja S. – Faculty of Science | Member |
Reconstitution of Women's Grievance Redressal, Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Counselling Cell
| Sr.No | Designation | Name |
| 1 | A Presiding Officer/ Director |
Prof. (Dr.) Bhavna Mehta |
| 2 | Two Employees having legal knowledge |
Dr. Archana Gadekar- Faculty of Law |
| 3 | Members amongst employees who are committed to the cause of women |
Ms. Hiral Pannar |
| 4 | Members from Non-Governmental Organization |
1.Ms. Shobhana Raval-Gujarat Police women Councilor and Women Safety Committee. 2.Dr. Dipal Patel.- Clinical counsellor & Psychologist |
| 5 | Two BOM Member |
Prof.Atul Joshi |
| 6 | Two BOM Member |
Prof.Dhanesh Patel |
| 7 | Two Warden Representatives |
Dr. Jayeta Sharma-Dy. Chief Warden, Halls of Residence |
| 8 | Two Girl Student Representatives if the matter involves students. |
1.Ms. Astha Garg, FCRM, Faculty of Family & Community Sciences |
| 9 | Two Non-Teaching Staff |
1.Dr. Mayank Vyas, Joint Registrar |
| 10 | Two Non-teaching Female Representative |
1.Mrs.Vidisha Shah, University Auditor |
| 11 | One women Counsellor from among the university |
Dr.Parisha Jijina, Department of psychology |
| 12 | Registrar, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda | Dr.K.M.Chudasama |
| 13 | Proctor, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda | Prof. Haribhai Kataria, Faculty of Science |
| 14 | Chief Warden , The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda | Dr. Vijay Parmar |
| 15 | Vigilance and Security Officer, The Maharaja Sayajirai University of Baroda | EX- Officio member |
| 16 | Medical Officer, Health Centre | Dr. Sonal Mishra |
| 17 | Member secretary |
Prof. Padmaja Sudhakar, |
WGRC ACTIVITES
|
Sr.No |
Date |
Topic |
Link |
| 1 | 07-03-2024 | Indian Women: Epitome of Inspiration and Inclusivity | Click Here |
| 2 | 15-10-2024 | Reconstruction of Women’s Grievance Redressal, Prevention of Sexual Harassment & Counselling Cell | Click Here |
| 3 | 28-02-2025 | Gender Sensitization: A March Towards Viksit Bharat. 2047 | Click Here |
| 4 | 01-03-2025 | Gender Sensitization: A March Towards Viksit Bharat. 2047 | Click Here |
| 5 | 01-03-2025 |
Accelerate Action With All Women Employees |
Click Here |
| 6 | 2025-2026 |
Awareness Programme on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, 2013 |
Click Here |
Awareness Programme on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, 2013
A.Y (2025-26)
The Women's Grievance Redressal and Counselling Cell (WGRC) of The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda organized a series of awareness programmes on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, 2013 across various faculties, institutes, and Halls of Residence - university hostels (Boys & Girls) during the academic year 2025–2026. The objective of these programmes was to create awareness among students about the provisions of the POSH Act, promote gender sensitivity, encourage a safe and respectful campus environment, and inform students about the University's grievance redressal mechanism.
The programmes were conducted according to the following schedule:
|
Date |
Faculty/Institute |
| 08 October 2025 | Faculty of Journalism and Communication |
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10 October 2025 |
Faculty of Education & Psychology |
| 10 October 2025 | M.K. Amin Arts and Science College & College of Commerce, Padra |
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15 October 2025 |
Faculty of Pharmacy |
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27 November 2025 |
Baroda Sanskrit Mahavidyalay |
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31 December 2025 |
Faculty of Commerce |
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09 January 2026 |
Faculty of Social Work |
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20 January 2026 |
Halls of Residence – Boys Hostel |
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21 January 2026 |
Halls of Residence – Girls Hostel |
Approximately 700 students participated in these awareness programmes.
The awareness programmes were organized under the guidance of the Women's Grievance Redressal and Counselling Cell (WGRC) of The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. The committee comprises Prof. (Dr.) Bhavna Mehta (Director), Prof. Dhanesh Patel (Member), Dr. Archana Gadekar (Member), Mrs. Shobhana Raval (Member), Dr. Mayank Vyas (Member), and Prof. Padmaja Sudhakar (Member Secretary). In accordance with the provisions of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, 2013, Prof. Namrata Luhar serves as the member possessing legal knowledge, while Ms. Hiral Parmar is a member representing employees who are committed to the cause of women.
The programme commenced with an introduction highlighting the objectives of the awareness initiative and the importance of creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful academic environment. Prof. (Dr.) Bhavna Mehta delivered the keynote address, explaining the salient features of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, 2013. She discussed the rights and responsibilities of students and employees, the functions of the Internal Committee, the complaint redressal mechanism, and the procedures for reporting incidents of sexual harassment.
Prof. Namrata Luhar, as the member with legal knowledge, explained the legal framework of the POSH Act, emphasizing gender sensitivity, ethical conduct, equality, and the legal safeguards available to victims. She encouraged participants to uphold dignity, mutual respect, and a culture of zero tolerance towards sexual harassment.
Ms. Hiral Parmar, representing employees committed to the cause of women, provided detailed information on the University's complaint redressal process, support mechanisms available to aggrieved persons, the importance of confidentiality during inquiry proceedings, and the need for timely reporting of grievances. Dr. Archana Gadekar concluded the session by addressing participants' queries, clarifying misconceptions regarding the POSH Act, and encouraging students to actively contribute towards maintaining a safe, respectful, and harassment-free campus.
The programmes were graced by the presence of the Deans, Principals, and Wardens of the respective faculties, institutes, and halls of residence. Their active participation and support significantly contributed to the success of the awareness initiatives. They appreciated the efforts of the Women's Grievance Redressal and Counselling Cell in organizing these programmes and expressed positive feedback, emphasizing the importance of conducting such awareness sessions regularly to foster a safe, inclusive, and gender-sensitive campus environment.
The interactive sessions witnessed enthusiastic participation from approximately 700 students across the various faculties, institutes, and halls of residence. The awareness programmes successfully enhanced participants' understanding of the provisions of the POSH Act, 2013, strengthened awareness of the University's grievance redressal mechanism, and reinforced the collective responsibility of fostering a secure, respectful, and gender-sensitive educational environment.
Glimpses of Awareness Programme
Journalism & Communication (08/10/2025) |
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Education & Psychology (10/10/2025) |
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M.K.Amin Arts & Commerce College (10/10/2025) |
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Pharmacy (15/10/2025 |
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Baroda Sanskrit Mahavidyalay (27/11/2025) |
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Commerce (31/12/2025) |
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Social Work (09/01/2026) |
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Role play by Faculty of Social Work Students (09/01/2026) |
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Halls Of Residence-Girls Hostel (20/01/2026) |
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Halls Of Residence-Girls Hostel (20/01/2026) |
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Halls Of Residence-Girls Hostel (20/01/2026) |
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Halls of Residence- Boys Hostel (21/01/2026) |
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 Bhavana Mehta.JPG)
