UGC Urges Universities to Establish Working Women's Hostels on Campus

UGC has asked universities to submit proposals to the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) regarding available spaces on campuses for the construction of women's hostels. Check notice here 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has urged universities to send proposals for land within their campuses to built Working Women Hostel (WWH). The proposals have to be sent to the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD). Emphasizing the trend of women from rural areas relocating to Tier 1 cities in search of improved educational and employment prospects, the UGC highlighted the crucial need for secure and cost-effective housing options.

The commission’s request follows the suggestion made by the Ministry for Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). UGC noted that women constitute 43% of STEM graduates in India, showcasing commendable progress. The labor force participation of women has risen from 23.23% to 37%, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of women leading the nation. 

The ministry has urged for a list of 10-15 empty spaces within the university campuses in the next 10 days. It has offered to bear the cost of constructing the women hostels as well as running the facilities if the universities provide such spaces. 

It has stated in the official notice that, “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 hostel.” Check notice pdf here: 

Sakhi Niwas 

The existing Sakhi Niwas initiative, a part of the Mission Shakti umbrella scheme, effectively caters to this requirement by offering essential services such as accommodation, meals, and daycare facilities for children at affordable rates. Nevertheless, the current operational model of Sakhi Niwas revolves around a rental system for hostels serving working women. 

Read More 

• All Universities must switch to handloom fabrics for ceremonial attire, reiterates UGC
• UGC Removes Techno Global University, Shillong from Recognized Universities List