Supporting gender-sensitive Higher Education access and choice in Haryana, India : policy brief

Quality education is recognised in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 as essential for upward socio-economic mobility and as a critical element in escaping poverty. It helps to reduce inequalities and improve gender equality. It fosters more tolerant and peaceful societies. Prior to Covid-19, enrolment in educational institutions, particularly for young women, was growing steadily across much of the world. SDG 4 seeks equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university, and to eliminate gender disparities and ensure equal access to all levels of education for vulnerable groups. SDG 5 promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls at all levels. These aspirations are shared by India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 (MHRD 2020) which highlights the role played by HE ‘in promoting human as well as societal wellbeing and in developing India as envisioned in its Constitution—a democratic, just, socially conscious, cultured, and humane nation upholding liberty, equality, fraternity, and justice for all’ (MHRD 2020: 9.1). HE offers ‘personal accomplishment’ and ‘productive contribution’ to society (MHRD 2020: 9.1.1.). As India moves towards becoming a knowledge economy and society, many more young people are aspiring to HE