To nurture ‘her’ ambitions, UGC to grant Rs. 25-35 lakh per year for Women’s studies programme

New Delhi, Mar 27: Women education is one of the top priority for India. UGC is always keen to help young women to achieve their dreams. Now take another step, The University Grants Commission (UGC) will allow over 10,000 institutions, both colleges, and universities. UGC will monitor and engage in both teaching and research activities on issues related to women and also promote entrepreneurship among them.

 

An engaging move by the education regulators believes to bring women’s contribution to society and the economy to the lead. Eligible colleges will get a grant of Rs. 25 Lakh per annum from the UGC.

This new initiated centers or departments will undertake field research in areas on women leadership, gender gap analysis, the inclusion of women in economic and social development and existing policy and legislation related to women.

Besides, the financial aids, UGC also urged such centers to conduct research on women’s contribution to science and technology.

Women and their contribution to the economy have been an argument in India in general, particularly the participation of the women labor force. In India, the women labor force participation rate is 27% against 33% in Bangladesh, 61% in China, 51% in Myanmar, 57% in the UK, 55% in the US and 82% in Nepal, according to World Bank data. This despite India’s a robust economic growth, rising incomes and improvements in female literacy, has been perplexing.

UGC said, “Even the gender pay gap is high since women workers earn 19% less wage than men on an average, according to a recent report by Monster India. Such centers will help in pursuing a comprehensive, critical and balanced understanding of India’s socio-economic realities”.

The initiative will include “women’s contribution to society and social processes, and women’s perception of their own lives, the broader social reality, and their struggles and aspirations.”