New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) sets the stage for a transformative initiative, proposing the establishment of Working Women Hostels (WWH) within university campuses. This visionary move is part of a larger commitment to enhance women’s educational empowerment, aligning with India’s commendable progress, boasting a 43% representation of women graduates in STEM fields.
As the labour force participation of women sees a significant rise from 23.3% to 37%, the UGC underscores the imperative of creating secure and accessible hostels to fortify women’s educational empowerment.
The UGC’s proposal emerges as a beacon of hope, addressing challenges faced by women and girls from rural areas who often need to relocate to Tier-I and metro cities for better educational and employment opportunities.
At the forefront of this initiative is Sakhi Niwas (Working Women’s Hostel), a vital component of the Umbrella scheme of Mission Shakti. Sakhi Niwas stands committed to providing a secure haven equipped with essential amenities such as lodging, meals, and daycare facilities for children, where feasible. Operating on a nominal cost basis, it caters to the needs of working women in urban, semi-urban, or rural areas where viable employment opportunities exist.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), the UGC envisions a future where universities actively participate in this transformative endeavor. The MWCD pledges to provide necessary funds for the construction and/or management costs of the proposed Working Women Hostels. To kickstart this initiative, MWCD urges universities to identify suitable land or built-up space within their campuses and submit a list of 10-15 such spaces within the next 10 days.