Dr. Bharat highlighted the gender-based challenges faced by women worldwide in terms of access, acceptance, and advancement. Women’s early socialization in gender bias limits their enrollment in STEM courses, which are traditionally seen as male-dominated.
The importance of centralizing women in development ideas and practices for India and G20 countries was highlighted by Dr. Shalini Bharat during her speech at a gathering of women leaders at the W20-MAHE Women Vice Chancellors’ and Leaders’ Conclave held recently at Manipal Academy of Higher Education’s campus in Bengaluru.
Dr. Bharat highlighted the gender-based challenges faced by women worldwide in terms of access, acceptance, and advancement. Women’s early socialization in gender bias limits their enrollment in STEM courses, which are traditionally seen as male-dominated. Dr. Bharat pointed out that the subjects chosen by women reflect existing gender biases in society, with women’s enrollment in STEM courses not exceeding 45 percent.
More than 50 women leaders from across India attended the inauguration event focusing on five themes: Higher education, labor force participation, skill development, care work and leadership dubbed “Women in Higher Education for Enabling Leadership (WHEEL),” outlined to promote women-led development.
MAHE is a knowledge partner of Women20 (W20), an official G20 engagement group focused on advancing gender equity. W20 works to ensure that gender considerations are taken into account in G20 discussions and incorporated into the G20 Leaders’ Declaration, with policies and commitments that promote gender justice and women’s empowerment.
The WHEEL paper aims to improve data collection and transparency regarding women’s access to higher education, dropout rates, and skill development, with the goal of promoting gender empowerment.
The paper recommends that the G20 strive to increase the share of women STEM graduates by 10 percent over the next five years, particularly in Global South countries where the numbers are low. To support international female researchers, scholars, and students, at least 50 new mobility schemes should be introduced.
It also suggests that India, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia aim to increase labor force participation by 30 percent over the next five years. To reduce the unemployment rate among women in higher education, G20 countries such as India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa should aim to decrease it by at least 15 percent within the same time frame.
Prominent leaders, including TISS Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shalini Bharat, W20 Chair Dr. Sandhya Purecha, Chief Coordinator Ms. Dharitri Patnaik, former IPS and W20 Delegate Ms. Bharati Ghosh, MAHE Vice Chancellor Lt. Gen. Dr. M D Venkatesh, and Pro Vice Chancellor of MAHE Prof. Madhu Veeraraghavan, attended the W20 event.
The engagement group also proposes greater female enrollment in technical fields, which have traditionally been male-dominated, and safe transportation to schools and workplaces for women.
