Working Women Hostels on University Campuses on the Cards; UGC Notifies Varsities

In a bid to support and encourage women workforce in different sectors, the concept of Working Women Hostels will soon become a reality in many universities. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has called upon varsities to submit proposals for allocating land within their campuses for the establishment of Working Women Hostels. The step is taken after the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s recommendation, particularly emphasising the need for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.

The Ministry has urged universities to provide a list of 10-15 available spaces on their campuses within the next ten days, reports suggest. In an attempt to support this initiative, the ministry has offered to cover the construction costs and the operational expenses of these hostels if suitable spaces are allocated by the universities on stimulated time.

Highlighting the trend of women and girls from rural areas moving to Tier 1 cities for better educational and employment prospects, the UGC emphasised the need for safe and affordable accommodation.

“This initiative operates on a nominal cost basis, catering to the needs of working women in urban, semi-urban or even rural areas, where employment avenues for women exist. However, the Sakhi Niwas component provides for only the rental models for working women’s hostels,” said the commission in an official notice.

Concept of Sakhi Niwas

The government’s existing initiative, Sakhi Niwas, under the Mission Shakti umbrella scheme, already addresses this vital need. It provides basic amenities like lodging, meals, and daycare facilities for children at minimal costs. However, the Sakhi Niwas currently operates on a rental model for working women hostels.

STEM Women Workforce

The UGC noted that women constitute 43 per cent of STEM graduates in India, showcasing commendable progress. The labour force participation of women has risen from 23.23 per cent to 37 per cent, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of women leading the nation. This initiative aims to create a conducive environment for women pursuing education and careers in diverse fields, fostering inclusivity and equal access to opportunities.