Madiha Jawed | shiksha.com
What according to you makes a campus woman friendly? Is it the security, the administration, the freedom to roam around freely or is it the respect that counts the most?
To find answers to these questions and to know their version of a women-friendly campus shiksha.com spoke to students currently studying in India and abroad. Check out what they have to say about the same!
For me a woman-friendly campus means open space, cameras, security guards, separate toilets and most importantly, the assurance that our concerns, if any, will be dealt with immediately. As far as my college is concerned, it meets these and every parameter that includes women safety. - Aditi Agarwal, MBA Finance, SP Jain, Mumbai
According to me, a women-friendly campus is the freedom to move about in the campus alone without any fear. I feel my campus is very women-friendly even though there have been many efforts from some elements to defame it. Unlike other colleges, the curfew timings show no discrimination among boys n' girls. This atmosphere allows us to build a better focus on what we are here to do. - Afreen Khan, BDS, Manipal University, Manipal
A campus is women-friendly, if women there are never made to feel either forgotten or small in any way. A women-friendly campus requires things as subtle as well-equipped and clean toilets, as well as designated recreation and sports facilities for women. My college does meet these parameters and quite honestly I cannot ask for anything more from the university. - Sayema Wasi, BA - Media & Mass Communication, Manipal University, Dubai
I'm in an all girls' college, so I'm sure my experiences would differ, as compared to those in co-ed colleges. A women-friendly campus should respect women's physical presence, outlook and choices. It should be properly patrolled, and there should be strict vigilance both inside and outside the building. Yes, my college does quite well on those counts. I don't think there's anything they really lack in. - Lata Jha, Journalism, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi
Well...for me, it’s all in the word - Respect! A campus where your work is appreciated and skills respected. Mine has definitely been a friendly campus throughout, as in pursuit of scientific research and enquiry, it’s only your work that counts and nothing else. - Roli Esha, Graduate student in Department of Physics and Astronomy ,UCLA, Los Angeles
Good security provided via college administration, educated and civilized men around, female unity and co-operation, not letting people get too close (not only physically but otherwise too) and a huge amount of confidence amongst girls to stand for themselves is what makes a campus women-friendly. - Shubha Keerti Chaturvedi, Final year, Chanakya National Law University, Patna
For me, a women-friendly campus is where a woman can freely hang around any time of the day, in a group or alone – with both the opposite and the same sex - without any qualms or hesitation or fear and where they are given equality and are treated as human beings by the opposite sex rather than being accepted as things to ogle at. My college in particular is very woman friendly, though, the outside crowd may not be that good. - Shreya Shashank, Computer Sc Engg student, RNSIT,Karnataka
I might have a slightly different opinion than other people. This is because Princeton lays a great emphasis on the safety and well being of its students so much so that we say that the worst thing that can happen here is a tree falling down in the middle of the road! I usually work late in the nights and more often than not, I am walking back to my room alone along deserted streets. But never in my three years at Princeton have I felt unsafe. I would credit this to the Department of Public Safety who are basically Federal Police Officers having specialized training to keep college campuses safe. Moreover, we also have a Sexual Health Advisory Board that takes care of women in light of an event where they feel they have been physically or mentally abused by someone. With the availability of all the facilities, the overall culture of people, even my mom says she is more secure having me study here than in a college in India. - Saumya Swaroop, Operations Research and Financial Engg student, Princeton University, USA
A women-friendly campus is such where a girl can walk freely and safely without the fear of being subjected to any kind of eve teasing and that they will be misbehaved with. It is all about feeling safe. My college in this regard is the safest campus that can be possible. There are guards posted every-where and it is full of lights. The students are really well behaved and respect women and protect them despite the girls' and the boys’ hostel being in the same campus. - Shagufta Ehsan Ahmad, MBA- Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management,Gwalior
A women-friendly campus should be a place where their problems (if any) must be taken care of and not turned a deaf ear to. All women, whether rich or poor, have their own dignity and self-respect. A campus should be a place where discipline, leadership and commitment must be given priority. And also a place where women are respected and have the freedom of speech. A place where women have no fear of anything and are free to work. - Shreya Purkayastha, MBA - Institute of Management and Information Science, Bhubaneswar
Talking about the environment at her campus, Kavitha Kumar, Head – Communications, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore said “Our campus is safe and secure and our excellent security has won awards and is mentioned everywhere. From one point entry to round the clock security and from organizing special orientation programme for students to CCTV cameras all around the campus, the campus has it all. The campus is self contained with hospital, Post office, bak, crèche, 24/7 library. We also have welfare committee.”
Dwarika Prasad Uniyal, professor, placement chairperson, IIM-Kashipur too informed ,“We have 27 women students in PGP-1 and we encourage girls to visit campus with their parents before taking admission and meet faculty and see facilities. We also have provided special security in girls hostel and started free TaiKeWando training to all the girls by SAI coach! We have invested heavily in the gear and equipments too. Infact, our co-chairperson for student activities is a woman professor and girls can approach her any time".
