Women teachers lose on top posts despite high representation: Report

Experts in gender and development see it as a manifestation of 'glass ceiling' phenomenon

- SOVI VIDYADHARAN @T'Puram

KERALA has the highest proportion of women among tertiary level teachers (assistant professors and above) in the country, a report released by the Union government said.

However, while the state has nearly double the number of women assistant professors at the entry level compared to their male counterparts, their numbers are lower than men at higher levels such as associate professor and professor.

According to the report titled "Women and Men in India 2024", the representation of women in teaching jobs at college and university levels in the state was 61.33% compared to the national average 41.59%.

The proportion of women in tertiary level teaching posts in neighboring states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka was 49.38% and 45.16% respectively.

Kerala had close to 30,000 women assistant professors/lecturers at the entry level, which is almost double the number of their male counterparts.