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Taking cognizance of the widespread concern among the academic community and others about the erosion of women’s studies in the university system, the Ministry of Human Resource Development has constituted a Standing Committee to monitor such studies on a continuing basis.
Dr. Vina Mazumdar, Chairperson, Centre for Women’s Development Studies, New Delhi will head the Committee. The other Members are : Prof. Armaity Desai, Former Chairperson, UGC, Prof. Sharmila Rege, Pune University, Pune, Prof. Imrara Qadir, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and Mrs. Kamleshwari Jandhyala, National Consultant, Mahila Samakhya, New Delhi.
The Committee will also undertake an immediate review of the current status of women’s studies in the country to assess the role they have played to meet the objectives of the National Policy of Education and to further define their new role in the contemporary scenario with particular reference to the impact of liberalization on the Indian society.
The National Policy on Education (1986) adopted by Parliament had mandated the Higher Education system to “play a positive interventionist role in the empowerment of women through research, curriculum development and direct involvement in women’s development activities”. It had also stated that Women’s Studies would be promoted within existing institutions and disciplines. The subsequent modifications of the Educational Policy and its Programme of Action (1992) further elaborated the role of Women’s Studies as agents of social change within institutions of higher education.
The constitution of the Standing Committee supersedes all exercises that are currently on in the UGC. The Committee will submit period reports to the UGC.
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