Gender Equality

Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research (DU) upholds fairness, justice, and inclusivity in every aspect of academic and professional life. With women constituting 69% of its workforce and over 63% of its student community, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research (DU) exemplifies gender balance in higher education.

🏛️ 1. Institutional Commitment & Governance

Keywords: Equity | Inclusion | Transparency | Leadership
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research (DU) has established strong governance mechanisms that align with SDG 5 through transparent tracking of women’s application, admission, and graduation rates. Policies such as the Student Admission Policy (STU 2501), Admission & Equality Policy, and International Students Admission Policy (STU 2502) ensure fair access for all. The Registrar’s Office reviews these frameworks every five years, ensuring that equity principles remain active and measurable. With 76 female senior academic staff (34%) out of 222, and women leading multiple statutory committees, gender inclusivity is embedded in institutional governance and decision-making.

🎓 2. Access, Participation & Advancement

Keywords: Empower | Opportunity | Representation | Progress
Women represent the majority across all levels — 1,540 female entrants (66%) among 2,342 new students in 2022, and 1,188 female graduates in STEM, Medicine, Arts & Humanities disciplines.

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research (DU) ’s policies encourage applications from women in underrepresented fields through the Centre for Women’s Advancement (SRCWA) and Equal Opportunity Cell. Systematic tracking of admission and graduation rates ensures that academic success and retention are equitable. Mentorship, leadership workshops, and career counselling initiatives further enhance women’s progression into leadership and research roles.

🌸 3. Women-Focused Support Schemes & Initiatives

Keywords: Mentorship | Scholarship | Development | Well-being
A network of mentoring schemes, scholarships, and awareness programmes supports women students and staff throughout their academic journey. Over 10% of female students participate annually in structured mentoring programmes coordinated by the IQAC and Centre for Women’s Studies.
Highlights include:

Automatic Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines across campuses.
PCOS Awareness Campaigns and Breast Cancer Screening Camps.
Women’s Day Celebrations themed “Women – Take Care of Yourself as Well.”
Scholarships via National Scholarship Portal and Government schemes.
These programmes promote holistic empowerment, combining physical and mental health with professional growth.

👩‍👧 4. Inclusive Policies & Supportive Infrastructure

Keywords: Safety | Work-Life Balance | Accessibility | Empathy
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research (DU) ensures a family-friendly and inclusive work culture through progressive employee-support systems:

Maternity Leave & Health Support, aligning with national guidelines.
Paternity Leave Policy granting five days paid leave (two occasions) for shared childcare.
Kamalam Udayar Child Care Centre offering on-campus infant care facilities.
Active Lactation Support Cell for employees and postnatal patients.
Smoke-Free and Safe Campus Environment.
These measures reinforce work-life balance and ensure that parenthood does not hinder academic or professional engagement.

🕊️ 5. Non-Discrimination, Protection & Diversity

Keywords: Equality | Respect | Safety | Justice
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research (DU) enforces strict non-discrimination policies protecting women and transgender individuals from bias or harassment.
Institutional mechanisms include:

Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and Gender Sensitization Cell.
Grievance Redressal and Whistleblower Protection Policy.
Anti-Retaliation Measures safeguarding complainants from academic or employment disadvantage.
Regular awareness workshops and sensitization sessions build a respectful, inclusive campus culture embracing gender diversity.

🌟 6. Lifelong Learning, Leadership & Cultural Empowerment

Keywords: Mentorship | Leadership | Learning | Empowerment
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research (DU) ’s Lifelong Learning Access Policy ensures continuing education for women faculty, staff, and students. Professional development workshops, leadership training, and research capacity-building are offered year-round. The university actively recognizes and promotes women leaders across academic councils, IQAC, SDG committees, and administrative boards.
Awareness events such as World Breastfeeding Week and Breast Cancer Awareness Campaigns integrate education, health, and advocacy, cultivating a culture where women lead, inspire, and innovate with confidence.

🌐 SRI RAMACHANDRA INSTITUTE OF HIGHER EDUCATION & RESEARCH (DU) ’s SDG 5 ImpactThrough policy-driven inclusion, structured mentoring, health access, and family-friendly infrastructure, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research (DU) stands as a national model for gender equality in higher education, fostering empowerment from classroom to career.