KP Govt Sets New Safety Rules for Female Students; Bans Private Office Meetings with Male Teachers. -

In a significant move to enhance student wellbeing, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Higher Education Department has issued a formal notification introducing new safeguards for female students in all public sector universities. The policy, implemented on the directives of the Chief Minister, aims to prevent harassment and foster a more secure academic environment.

Key Features of the New Policy

The initiative introduces structural reforms to provide female students with accessible and safe platforms for addressing their concerns:

Female Faculty Appointments: Every department in public universities is now required to nominate at least one female faculty member to serve as a focal point. This designated individual is responsible for listening to and taking steps to resolve the academic and personal complaints of female students.
Office Interaction Restrictions: To ensure safety and transparency, male faculty members are strictly prohibited from holding one-on-one private meetings with female students in their offices.
Mandatory Awareness Seminars: Universities must organize awareness seminars or workshops at least once every quarter (four times a year). These sessions will educate students and staff about the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010 and the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) anti-harassment policy.
Strict Implementation: The provincial government has instructed university administrations to ensure immediate compliance and submit regular progress reports to the Higher Education Department. Failure to implement these directives may result in strict disciplinary action.