UET Lahore orders gender segregation at university cafeteria, sparking uproar
September 09, 2019
The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore's decision to separate the sitting arrangements for male and female students has caused uproar on social media.
According to a notification signed by the Deputy Registrar at UET Lahore and shared widely on social networking website Twitter, the university has directed the university administration to make separate sitting arrangements for male and female students.
"Vice Chancellor has ordered that separate sitting arrangements with suitable partition be made for male and female students with immediate effect," the notification reads.
"In this regard, necessary measures should be taken forthwith. The Vice Chancellor will make surprise visits to check these arrangements," the notification warns.
According to the document, the cafeteria and the canteen at the university would be sealed if separate seating arrangements were not made in compliance of the order.
The news has been greeted with much outrage on social media, with people from across Pakistan criticizing the decision of the university authorities to focus on gender segregation instead of fixing academic issues.
In April, a private university in Lahore had announced investigation of a social media group run by male students that was used to harass and objectify women and make inappropriate comments about them.
Sources also said the university had set up an investigative committee and that it would analyse the issue in detail after women students gathered for what eventually transformed into an unplanned sit-in as allies came together in support.
According to a student, women at the university had unearthed a Facebook group comprising around 600 — mostly male, students — that was involved in circulating derogatory, explicit content targeting women.
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