IIM Bodh Gaya is launching a five-day residential Nurturing Future Leadership Programme (NFLP) for Women Academic Leaders, scheduled from November 11 to 15, 2024. The initiative, part of the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme and funded by the Ministry of Education, aims to address the significant underrepresentation of women in higher education leadership roles in India.
News reports quoted Professor Vinita Sahay, Director of IIM Bodh Gaya, as saying that the program’s goal is to empower women leaders who can inspire future generations. By organizing this initiative “for women, by women,” the NFLP seeks to create a supportive atmosphere that promotes equity and drives meaningful change in higher education.
A 2021 UNESCO report said, “Women in Higher Education: Has the female advantage put an end to gender inequalities?”, revealed a stark decline in the presence of women in senior academic positions. While women make up a majority of entry-level teaching staff, their numbers drop significantly at higher ranks.
National data from the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) shows a gender gap, with 44.4% of Assistant Professors being women compared to just 29.1% at the Professor level. The report calls for a gender-neutral environment and better career advancement opportunities to enhance women’s representation. Additionally, a 2021 study indicated that only 110 of 1,151 higher education institutions (9.5%) are led by women, highlighting ongoing disparities despite some prominent institutions, like IIM Bodh Gaya, being led by female leaders.
