UGC’s Nationwide Initiative for Female Students

UGC’s ‘Sakhi Niwas’: Supporting Female Students in Urban Transition

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched the ‘Sakhi Niwas‘ initiative under the Mission Shakti scheme, aiming to provide affordable and secure accommodation to women and girls moving from rural areas to Tier-1 and metro cities for educational or employment opportunities. This initiative aligns with the goal of encouraging and facilitating the migration of more women to cities.

‘Sakhi Niwas’ hostels will offer essential amenities, including lodging, meals, and daycare facilities for the children of women staying in these accommodations. The Ministry of Child and Women Development (MWCD) has recommended that the UGC identify suitable land or built-up space within university campuses for establishing Working Women Hostels (WWH).

The introduction of ‘Sakhi Niwas’ addresses the financial and safety concerns associated with women relocating from rural areas to urban centers. The UGC notification emphasizes the increasing participation of women in the workforce, citing a noteworthy 43% representation of women graduates in STEM education and an overall rise in women’s labor force participation from 23.3% to 37%.

The UGC acknowledges the vision of the Prime Minister, emphasizing that women should lead in the transformative period (Amrit Kaal), recognizing that societal progress hinges on the advancement of women. Despite positive trends in women’s educational and professional engagement, challenges persist, especially in securing affordable accommodations during urban migration.

‘Sakhi Niwas’ aims to address this challenge by providing secure and cost-effective housing solutions. The initiative caters to working women in urban, semi-urban, or rural areas where employment opportunities for women exist. By offering a secure haven with essential amenities, the UGC hopes to facilitate a smoother transition for women pursuing educational and professional goals in urban settings.

_{Repurposed article originally published in ShethePeople}