Mysore University reserves seats for victims of sexual harassment, trafficking

MYSORE: Leaving behind their trauma of sexual harassment and human trafficking, 12 girl students of Mysore University now want to make it big in life, aiming to become police officers and chartered accountants. Giving wings to their dreams is the university, which has reserved seats for victims of sexual harassment and human trafficking. The first of its kind reservation also benefits wards of such victims.

Under a special quota called "Out of Intake", educational institutions under the university will now reserve two seats in undergraduate courses and one for postgraduate. The students getting admission under the quota will get 50% concession in tuition fees.


"This is the university's effort to encourage victims of various circumstances to purse education and bring them to the mainstream," says Mysore university registrar PS Naik.

Currently, about 18 students, including 12 girls, who are benefited by the initiative, are pursuing courses like commerce and social welfare. Two girl students are enrolled in postgraduate courses.

After completing her pre-university education, Amitha (name changed), a beneficiary, could not get a seat in a degree college in Mysore under the general quota. She enrolled after University of Mysore introduced the special quota.

"Every university in the country should reserve seats like this. The government should take serious steps in this regard," said Amitha, an inmate of a rehabilitation centre run by Odanadi Seva Samathe (OSS), a non-governmental organization. OSS works for the rehabilitation of victims of sexual harassment and human trafficking.