WDCs poorly functioning, say experts

Women’s Development Cells across universities have become poorly functioning bodies due to administrative apathy and lack of dedicated members and staff, say experts.

At the University of Mumbai, for instance, the WDC has been running without a full-time chairperson after the earlier chairperson, Kranti Jejurkar, who worked at the cell for over 15 years, resigned in May 2016. Jejurkar said the problem with running a cell of this nature with officials who already have major responsibilities is that it affects the pace and quality of handling complaints.

“Professors in the university already have too many responsibilities. WDC for a university as big as MU needs a dedicated staff of experienced people who are appointed on the cell full time,” added Jejurkar. 

Jejurkar said across campuses, there is lack of sensitivity and seriousness about dealing with such complaints. “Most WDCs routinely take up activities like awareness drives, workshops etc, but the actual handling of complaints with respect to sexual harassment is very lax,” she added.

AD Sawant, former pro VC at the University of Mumbai, said “There are several rules and regulations with respect to WDCs. From taking care of facilities like having common rooms for girls to handling complaints, there is a lot of responsibility on the cell. The body being quasi-judicial in nature, there should be senior lawyers, activists and experienced people on this committee,” added Sawant.