External Gender Audit held at the University of Jammu

The Centre for Women’s Studies, in collaboration with the Directorate of Internal Quality Assurance (DIQA), University of Jammu, organised an external gender audit on October 9, 2023. Prof. Gurpreet Bal, former Dean and Head, Department of Sociology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar; Prof. Anil Kumar,Head,Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Central University of Himachal Pradesh; and Dr.Nancy Mengi, Head, Department of Social Work, Central University of Jammu, were the members of the External Committee. The audit was planned under the able guidance of Dr. Meenakshi Kilam, Director, DIQA, and Prof. Vishav Raksha, Director, Centre for Women’s Studies,University of Jammu.

A detailed report of the gender audit was presented by Prof. Vishav Raksha, convenor of the internal gender audit committee, in which she explained the various gender-inclusive initiatives taken by the university in academics, curricular activities, and co-curricular activities. Later, the external experts gave their positive commendations on the fair gender balance in the university in terms of students and faculty members. The experts also applauded the efforts of the departments of the university for organising various gender-inclusive activities like workshops, seminars, field visits, tours, etc. on gender-related concerns. They also appreciated the various initiatives taken by the university, including the framing of the gender policy, the appointment of gender mentors and gender champions, the initiation of the non-collegiate board, the College on Wheels, etc. The recommendations and suggestions included following the practice of gender budgeting,learning outcomes of the students who have opted for the gender courses and those who have not, evaluating the difference in their perceptions, and strengthening some of the infrastructural facilities available on the campus.

The audit also included the visit of external experts along with the internal committee members to the girls hostels and other departments to assess the availability of various gender-sensitive facilities on campus and appreciate the facilities available to cater to the needs of the students and scholars. The meeting was also attended by other Internal GenderAudit Committee members, including Dr. Garima Gupta, Head, Department of Journalism and Media Studies; Dr. Shallu Sehgal, Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Economics; Dr.Ginny Dogra, Deputy Director, DIQA; Dr. Saranjit Kaur; and Mrs. Kunzang Angmo, Faculty, Centre for Women’s Studies. Mr. Ameet Targotra, Assistant Director, DIQA, and Ms. Akanksha Sharma, Assistant Registrar, DIQA, helped in organising and coordinating the gender audit.