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Kyoto Women's University bucks coeducational trend
Kyoto Women's University bucks coeducational trend

Asahi Shimbun

time2 days ago

  • Politics
  • Asahi Shimbun

Kyoto Women's University bucks coeducational trend

KYOTO--With women's universities across Japan increasingly shifting toward coeducation or shutting their doors, Kyoto Women's University has taken a public stand to preserve its identity as a women's institution. On July 1, the university publicly released a statement titled the 'Declaration of Women's University' on its website, affirming its continued dedication to single-gender education after more than 75 years. 'We hereby declare our commitment to remain a women's university,' university President Hideko Takeyasu said in the statement. 'A women's university offers an environment where students can learn in equal relationships, unbounded by traditional gender norms,' Takeyasu wrote. 'We will continue to foster individuals who challenge societal norms and drive transformation.' This declaration comes at a time when women's universities in Japan face increasing financial pressures due to demographic shifts and declining birthrates. Once numbering 98 at their peak in 1998, four-year women's colleges in Japan have now declined to around 70. Many have opted to become coeducational or close altogether amid struggles to maintain student enrollment. Takeyasu said the declaration was intended to reaffirm the value and necessity of women's universities both within the school community and to the broader public. She highlighted Japan's poor performance in the latest Global Gender Gap Report, in which the country ranked 118th out of 148 nations. 'While legal systems now promote gender equality, unconscious gender biases remain in our society and culture,' Takeyasu said. 'Education at a women's university, where students are not constrained by narrow ideas of femininity, plays a crucial role in addressing these deeply rooted disparities.' Founded in 1949 with an educational philosophy rooted in Buddhist values, Kyoto Women's University became the first women's university in Japan to establish a faculty of law in 2011 and added a faculty of data science in 2023. Despite nationwide enrollment challenges, the university currently boasts a healthy admissions rate of 106 percent, with 1,527 new students enrolling in April. The prospects aren't as bright for the future of other women's universities. In June, Mukogawa Women's University in Hyogo Prefecture announced plans to go coeducational starting in April 2027. Other institutions, such as Kyoto Notre Dame University and Keisen University in Tokyo, have decided to terminate student recruitment.

What gender gap lens reveals about declining fertility rate
What gender gap lens reveals about declining fertility rate

Indian Express

time25-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Indian Express

What gender gap lens reveals about declining fertility rate

— Rituparna Patgiri The under-representation of women in diplomacy and the importance of breaking down structural barriers to support women in global decision-making roles were highlighted during the International Day of Women in Diplomacy observed on June 24. This global concern also resonates in the recently released Global Gender Gap Report 2025 in which India ranks 131st out of 148 countries. The Global Gender Gap Index, developed by the World Economic Forum and published annually since 2006, measures gender parity across four dimensions – economics, politics, education and health. Global Gender Gap Report builds on the foundational efforts of earlier initiatives such as the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) launched in 1984 and the 1995 Beijing World Conference on Women that have helped foster gender equality. In 2015, gender equality was further reinforced as a global priority when it was included as Sustainable Development Goal 5 in the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development to be achieved by 2030. The importance of the Global Gender Gap Report lies in the fact that policymakers use it as a benchmark to assess progress made in addressing gender disparities. If one looks at India's performance in the latest report, the parity score is 64.1 per cent – one of the lowest in South Asia. In the third parameter – health and survival – India has improved scores in sex ratio at birth and healthy life expectancy. Declining fertility rate and gender inequities However, there are concerns over the declining fertility rate. India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) – the average number of children per woman – has dropped to 2.0, according to the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) State of World Population Report 2025. The same was also reported in the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) of 2019-21. A TFR of 2 is considered the replacement level as two kids will replace their parents. But since some kids die, the replacement level is considered as 2.1. Hence, India's TFR has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1. The falling fertility rate is linked to India's ranking in the Global Gender Gap Index, indicating how reproductive freedom and choice are being regulated by external factors. Economic, social, cultural and political reasons together influence couples' decisions to have fewer or no children. Hence, fertility is not merely a matter of individual choice but a socially constructed outcome. In a survey by the UNFPA and YouGov conducted in 14 countries, including India, 20 per cent of respondents were of the view that they may be unable to have the number of children that they want. One in five cited future concerns like climate change, war and pandemics as reasons behind having fewer children. In the case of India, financial limitations (38%) pose a significant challenge to young people's child bearing aspirations. Unemployment and job insecurity (21%), housing issues such as lack of space and high rent (22%), and inadequate childcare facilities (18%) contribute to making parenthood seemingly unattainable. Healthcare is yet another significant factor that determines fertility decisions. Globally, one in three people have faced unintended pregnancy. In India, 14 per cent of people say they face barriers in accessing fertility or pregnancy-related medical care. At least 15 per cent of people cite poor general health or chronic illnesses as reasons behind not wanting to have children or to have fewer. There are notable regional variations in fertility rates across India. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21, only five states – Bihar (2.98), Uttar Pradesh (2.35), Jharkhand (2.26), Meghalaya (2.91), and Manipur (2.17) – still exceed the replacement rate of 2.1. In comparison, southern and western states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat report fertility levels below replacement levels – ranging from 1.6 to 1.9. The TFR has also declined in both urban (1.6) and rural (2.2) areas. High fertility rates are often associated with pressure on public infrastructure and lower levels of women's education and agency, while low fertility rates raise concerns about better economic and social security. Although the decline in fertility is often seen as a matter of women's choice, the reality is more complex. The role of the state and society in creating enabling conditions that make parenthood, especially motherhood, can be underlined here. It includes ensuring equitable access to healthcare facilities and protecting reproductive freedom. Moreover, motherhood cannot be seen as biologically determined and needs to be supported by state-backed measures like parental leave, flexible working hours, and childcare facilities. For instance, the Voice of Women Study 2024 involving 24,000 women employees found that even making use of family-friendly policies – such as medically necessary maternity leave – incurs a reputational cost for women in the workplace. Women are often pushed into lower-paid, part-time roles, limiting career advancement and increasing economic inequality. As such, parenthood is seen as an opportunity cost, particularly for women. Hence, the falling fertility rate needs to be seen in the context of broader societal and institutional issues. The UNFPA and YouGov survey also shows that parenthood aspirations are changing for both men and women. Moreover, in the context of India, women alone rarely make reproductive decisions. Social pressure, particularly the preference for male children, affects women's reproductive choice. Sociological studies by scholars like Leela Dube and Prem Chowdhry have noted this. For instance, in her book Women and Kinship: Comparative Perspectives on Gender in South and South‑East Asia, Dube argues that kinship systems structure gender relations in ways that undervalue women as compared to men. Similarly, Chowdhry in her works such as The Veiled Women: Shifting Gender Equations in Rural Haryana has written about prejudices associated with having a daughter in India. At the policy level, what is required is to build trust through stable and rights-based approaches. For example, in 2024, the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly amended the Panchayat Raj and Municipal Acts, which had earlier banned anyone with more than two children from contesting local body elections. The declining fertility rates in the state prompted it to repeal the old policy. According to the NFHS 2019-21, Andhra Pradesh reported a TFR of 1.47 in urban areas and 1.78 in rural areas – both well below the replacement level of 2.1. But it is not enough to ask couples to have more children. Rather concrete provisions offering economic and social security would help make parenthood a feasible choice. At the societal level, the desire to have fewer or no children is also guided by how gendered roles operate in the domestic space. According to the Time Use Survey conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO), the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in 2024, 41 per cent of women participate in caregiving compared to only 21.4 per cent of men. Women spend 140 minutes per day in caregiving activities whereas men spend 74 minutes. This reflects the Indian social fabric where domestic and caregiving responsibilities are largely seen as women's work, often discouraging women from having children or opting for fewer. It underlines a pressing need for policies that formally recognises women's unpaid domestic labour. Feminist economists like Devaki Jain in her 1996 paper titled Valuing Work: Time as a Measure have advocated for the same. Domestic responsibilities and parenthood need to go beyond gendered roles to address the declining fertility rate. It is not a 'women's problem' but one that needs to be tackled at both societal and policy levels. Fertility choices in India are after all deeply embedded in caste, religion and patriarchy. To what extent does India's low ranking in the Global Gender Gap Report reflect structural barriers to reproductive autonomy? How do declining fertility rates in India reflect on the narrative of women's empowerment? In what ways do gendered domestic responsibilities, as reflected in Time Use Survey data, shape reproductive choices Fertility-related policies should focus more on economic incentives or on dismantling structural inequalities. Illustrate with examples. (Rituparna Patgiri is an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati.) Share your thoughts and ideas on UPSC Special articles with Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.

France's Gender Equality Minister Visits Morocco to Help Boost Women's Empowerment
France's Gender Equality Minister Visits Morocco to Help Boost Women's Empowerment

Morocco World

time21-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Morocco World

France's Gender Equality Minister Visits Morocco to Help Boost Women's Empowerment

Rabat – France's Minister for Gender Equality and the Fight Against Discrimination, Aurore Bergé, will visit Morocco from June 23-25. The trip aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation on feminist diplomacy, human rights, and social issues, building on the strategic dialogue launched after President Emmanuel Macron's state visit in October of 2024. Central to the visit is the goal of promoting economic empowerment for women. In Rabat, Bergé is scheduled to meet with Naïma Ben Yahia, Morocco's Minister of Solidarity, Social Inclusion, and Family, to discuss joint initiatives aimed at preventing violence against women. A joint declaration of intent is planned to outline the shared objective of integrating women's rights into public policy. In Nouaceur – a province near Casablanca known for its industrial zones and home to the Mohammed V International Airport – the minister will visit the Safran Nacelles industrial site along with the Institute of Aeronautics Trades to examine the role of women in the Moroccan industrial sector, focusing on vocational training and professional integration programs. Bergé will also meet with Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Economy and Finance, Amina Bouayach, President of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), and Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary General of the Rabita of the Ulemas – Muslim scholars – to discuss gender-related issues across governmental and institutional levels. The visit will include a review of field projects supported by the French Development Agency, such as the 'Ajyal Égalité' program, which provides support for women affected by violence. The trip may also facilitate Morocco's participation in the international conference on feminist diplomacy scheduled in Paris in October 2025. In Marrakech, Minister Bergé will visit social institutions including the Lalla Amina Center for children deprived of family care and facilities focused on women's economic empowerment. The visit aims to promote coordination among institutional, economic, and associative actors related to social inclusion and gender equality. The visit comes as Morocco ranks 137th out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum's 2025 Global Gender Gap Report—second in the Maghreb and tenth in the Arab world. Despite slight gains in education and political representation, Morocco remains near the bottom globally in economic participation and health. By contrast, ​​France ranks 35th and holds fourth place among G7 nations. The visit's focus on feminist diplomacy and women's empowerment reflects an official effort to advance gender equality on an international level. However, some of Bergé's previous statements expose deeper tensions within white Western feminism—where orientalist biases and selective political narratives can undermine solidarity and inclusivity. Following the murder of a Muslim man at the Khadija mosque in La Grand-Combe, southern France, Minister Aurore Bergé sparked controversy by dismissing the use of the term 'islamophobia' to describe the attack. 'I understand those who might spontaneously use it, because they see it as a way (…) to express support and empathy. But I believe it is not an appropriate term,' Bergé said. 'I also discussed this with the Prime Minister. Sometimes, we must allow for nuance. This nuance is crucial to me because I know those pushing to impose this term today do so with questionable intentions,' she added. Simultaneously, Bergé demanded a firm break from the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI) over allegations of antisemitism. Yet, these accusations are less about hostility toward Jewish people and more about LFI's outspoken condemnation of the Israeli state and its ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza—a pressing feminist issue and a litmus test of genuine political and social commitment to justice.

No Improvement for Japan in 2025 Gender Gap Ranking

time16-06-2025

  • Business

No Improvement for Japan in 2025 Gender Gap Ranking

Japan Data Gender and Sex Politics Society Jun 16, 2025 A drop in the number of women in the cabinet to just two contributed to Japan remaining at 118th in the Global Gender Gap Index for 2025. Japan's position remained unchanged at 118th in the Global Gender Gap Report issued by the World Economic Forum on June 12, 2025, which ranked 148 countries in terms of gender equality. The WEF report analyzes various statistical data on the status of women using four categories: economy, education, health, and politics. The gender gap index is based on 1.00 being the highest possible score, indicating that gender parity has been achieved, while 0.00 means complete gender disparity. Among Group of Seven countries, Britain was ranked the highest in terms of gender equality, leaping ten places to fourth overall. Germany (9) was the next-highest G7 country, followed by Canada (32), France (35), the United States (42), and Italy (85). Japan was the only G7 nation to fail to place within the top 100. Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru's October 2024 cabinet only included two female ministers (10% of the total), which was a significant drop from the five (25%) in Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's cabinet the previous year. This led to Japan dropping in the ranking for politics from 113th to 125th. 2025 Global Gender Gap Index Rankings Created by based on data from the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025. Data Sources Global Gender Gap Report 2025 from the World Economic Forum, 2025. (Translated from Japanese. Banner photo © Pixta.) gender women gender equality

‘Fantastic': Australia's big gender gap win
‘Fantastic': Australia's big gender gap win

Perth Now

time14-06-2025

  • Business
  • Perth Now

‘Fantastic': Australia's big gender gap win

Australia has recorded its best ever gender equality ranking in a major global report, but the government is being warned not to rest on its laurels. After placing 24th last year in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report, Australia has jumped 11 places and is now 13th out of 148 countries. It is Australia's best result since the report began in 2006 and a far cry from our country's record low 50th place in 2021. The ranking jump is attributed to improvements in female political empowerment, economic participation and educational attainment. Australia ranked well in education, with joint first in literacy rate, primary education enrolment and university enrolment. Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said it was a 'fantastic result' for Australia. Minister for Women Katy Gallagher celebrated Australia's result. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia 'When the Albanese Labor Government was first elected in 2022, we said that improving the lives of women and girls was one of our key focuses, and today's result – our best ever – shows we are delivering on that commitment,' Senator Gallagher said. 'Whether it is investing in women's wages and economic opportunities, investing in sexual and reproductive healthcare, or investing in policies to address women's safety and tackling gender-based violence, our government is backing up words with action.' Parenthood chief executive Georgie Dent celebrated the 'meaningful' changes by the government, but called on them to continue the 'significant work' still to do on measures such as parental leave. 'These results show us that government policy can and does make a tangible difference in achieving the goal of true gender equity and they underscore the need for us to go further,' Ms Dent said. CEO of The Parenthood Georgie Dent called on the government to continue reforms to maintain the progress. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia 'We're calling on the Albanes Labor Government to build on this progress by increasing paid parental leave entitlement to 52 weeks at replacement wage, with superannuation included – bringing us in line with international best practice.' Ms Dent also called on the government to cement its promised universal childcare reforms. 'These measures will bring us closer to achieving true gender equity in Australia and in doing so will improve outcomes for children, boost workforce participation, support families and strengthen communities and our economy,' Ms Dent said. Senator Gallagher acknowledged there would still be more work to come, but insisted the result showed that the Albanese government was 'shifting the dial'. 'We know there is always more work to do, and this report will help to inform our work on gender equality over the next three years,' she said.

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