Author: Patrashila Sarkar1 & Dr. Biswajit Chatterjee2
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/Bijmrd/03090005
Abstract: The 21st century has witnessed a profound transformation in the status, aspirations, and societal participation of women, driven significantly by the expanding access to higher education. Higher education has emerged not merely as a pathway to employment but as a multidimensional instrument of empowerment, enabling women to reconfigure gender hierarchies, challenge entrenched patriarchal norms, and shape new identities in an increasingly knowledge-driven global society. This article examines the intricate relationship between higher education and women’s empowerment through an interdisciplinary lens, drawing from sociology, gender studies, economics, and educational theory. It investigates how higher education enhances women’s economic independence, political engagement, social mobility, and personal agency, while also probing persistent structural challenges such as gender stereotyping, unequal access, socio-cultural resistance, economic marginalization, and digital divides. In compact yet expansive essays, the article explores shifts in gender roles, the rise of feminist consciousness, the impact of globalization and technology, and the evolving institutional frameworks that shape women’s experiences in academic spaces. Ultimately, the study argues that while higher education is a critical pathway to empowerment, it must be supported by inclusive policies, community sensitization, and structural reforms that ensure equality, dignity, and opportunity for all women.
Keywords: Emancipation, Emotional Independence, Gender, Nawal El Saadawi, Prostitution, Queer, Sexuality.
Page No: 43-53