A Seminar on ‘Capacity Building for Women Managers in Higher Education’ organized by Social Science Faculty at BHU:
Gender difference must go: Experts
HT Correspondent
Varanasi, October 9
“In spite of good participation in the field of education, women’s participation in managerial cadre in higher education is invisible”, according to director of Centre for Women’s Studies and Development at Kurukshetra University, Prof Reicha Tanwar.
She was delivering the inaugural address at the six-day workshop on ‘Capacity Building for Women Managers in Higher Education’ at Social Science Faculty in Banaras Hindu University here on Monday.
The Centre for Women’s Studies and Development (BHU) and University Grants Commission (UGC) have jointly organised this workshop.
Dr Tanwar added that this gender difference was not only visible in India but was also evident in various developed countries. “Women have 12 to 17 representation in the managerial class of higher education in India”, she added.
She said there were many reasons such as unwillingness of managerial body, our tradition and cultural norms etc. behind this scene.
“Women themselves feel reluctant to accept managerial position due to lack of motivation, social support, inbuilt power structure and gender biases existing in the society and lack of sensitivity etc.”, she said and suggested that there was a need to cater gender friendly environment and women studies perspective in every discipline.
In her presidential address, the medical superintendent of Sir Sunderlal Hospital of BHU, Prof Chooramani Gopal, said that women enjoyed very powerful position in ancient India as reflected in our history, mythology and culture.
“Women are better managers than men and women are nowhere inferior”, she said, adding, “What is required is that we should look forward to women who would prove role models and inspire other women”.
Deputy inspector general of Inter-State Border Force, SN Sabat, said that women had shown their capabilities in every field. He said that multiple jobs and social pressure prevented women from proving their capabilities.
Convenor of workshop, Prof Chandrakala Padia welcomed the guests whereas Dr Usha Kiran Rai conducted the programme and proposed a formal vote of thanks.
Around 40 delegates from 12 universities are participating in the workshop