Women stepping into roles that were once inaccessible: Sakeena Itoo

SRINAGAR : Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo addressed the three-day National Workshop on “Leadership Programme for Women Managers in Higher Education: Challenges, Opportunities and Strategies” at University of Kashmir here on monday.
The workshop is being organised by the varsity’s Centre for Women’s Studies and Research (CWSR) in collaboration with the Institute of Home Science KU.
In her inaugural address, Minister Sakeena, who was Chief Guest on the occasion, said that institutions must work collectively to ensure that women feel respected and supported.
“Women are stepping into roles that were once inaccessible but their growth depends on environments where they feel safe, heard and valued,” Minister Sakeena stated.
She added that women must be recognised for their talent and work and encouraged to take on leadership responsibilities with confidence.
The Minister further highlighted the pivotal role of women in shaping the future of higher education and emphasized the need to create institutional environments where women leaders can thrive. She noted that expanding women’s participation in academic governance is not only a matter of equity but also a prerequisite for strengthening the nation’s intellectual and administrative capacity.
Commending the University of Kashmir for organizing the workshop, Minister Sakeena said that such platforms enable meaningful dialogue on structural barriers faced by women in academia, besides offering practical pathways for capacity building, mentorship and policy innovation. She encouraged participants, drawn from universities and colleges across the country, to use the workshop as an opportunity to collaborate, share experiences and develop actionable leadership strategies.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting gender-responsive policies in education, including enhanced leadership training, professional development schemes and institutional support systems for women faculty and administrators.
Vice-Chancellor, KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan in her address said that the University has been working steadily to strengthen gender-sensitive academic practices and leadership pathways.
“Our aim is to create systems where women academics and administrators can participate fully in decision-making and lead without barriers,” she said.
Dean Academic Affairs KU, Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, highlighted the importance of building institutional mechanisms that recognise women’s work and leadership potential in higher education.
Prof. Pam Rajput (Prof. Emeritus), Panjab University, noted that strengthening women’s leadership requires both structural support and everyday institutional sensitivity. Dr. Ashima Mangla, Joint Secretary, Women’s Studies, UGC, in her keynote address, said that the initiative corresponds with the NEP 2020 which emphasises inclusion, equity and leadership development.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Dr. Roshan Ara, Coordinator, CWSR KU, said that the workshop aims to bring stakeholders together to discuss the current realities and practical strategies for supporting women administrators and faculty.
Pertinently, the workshop aims to strengthen leadership capacities among women managers in higher education by addressing gender disparities, enhancing strategic and administrative skills, and tackling intersectional challenges.
The three-day programme includes thematic sessions by eminent resource persons of the country, group discussions, and training modules designed to address institutional challenges, leadership skills and policy perspectives.
On the occasion, Minister Sakeena also released first-ever Coffee Table Book 2025 of Kashmir University that showcases the evolution, milestones and growth of the varsity as a leading academic institution in the region and other vital publication Statistical Digest.
Director Colleges, Dr. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir; Dean, School of Medicine & Allied Medical Sciences KU and Principal GMC Srinagar, Dr. Iffat Hassan; College principals, senior faculty members from various colleges of J&K, deans of various schools of KU, administrative officers, heads of departments, faculty members, scholars and students, besides 50 participants from various universities across the north-west region of the country were present on the occasion.