The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a notification on an effort to award property for the purpose of establishing a dormitory for female students.
The ‘Sakhi Niwas’ program was launched as part of Mission Shakti’s Umbrella plan. As part of the project, women who relocate to Tier-1 and metro cities from rural regions in quest of better educational and job prospects would be supplied with safe and cheap housing. The hostel will provide all basic amenities such as housing, food, and day-care services for their children.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has advised identifying suitable land or built-up space on university campuses for the establishment of Working Women’s Hostels (WWH). If colleges supply this space, the cost of construction and /or management cost for running the facility can be provided by MCWD.
The official notification by the commission read, “As you are aware, India’s progress in STEM education sees a commendable 43% representation of women graduates. The labour force participation of women has increased from 23.3% to 37%. The vision of Prime Minister is that the women should lead in the Amrit Kaal, as without ensuring their progress, the overall progress of society is not possible.”
“One of the key factors prompting women and girls from rural areas to relocate to Tier-I and metro cities is availability of better educational and employment opportunities there,” added the notification.
“As there is a need for safe and affordable accommodation for them. In response to this challenge, Sakhi Niwas (Working Women’s Hostel), a component of the Umbrella scheme of Mission Shakti, emerges as a beacon of hope. It offers a secure haven equipped with fundamental amenities such as lodging, meals and day-care facilities for their children, wherever feasible. 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,” added the notification.
All that the Sakhi Niwas component offers, though, are rental models for hostels for working women.
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