WOMEN@STCP
St. Thomas College, Palai is endowed with a strong presence of women in both its student and staff communities. The College had its inception in 1950 and was renowned as an educational institution for men. But from 1963, women officially became a part of the student community of St. Thomas College, through their admission in PG programmes offered by the Departments of Hindi and Botany. Also, some girls were admitted in the Pre-University Courses of our College. In the following year (1964), Departments of Economics and English welcomed women to their B.A programmes. Out of the 90 students in the B.A. Economics Batch then, 30 were girls. This batch celebrated their 60th anniversary in May 2024. From 1969 to 1971, Special B.Sc programmes were introduced in our College for women by the Departments like Physics, Botany, Chemistry, Zoology and Mathematics. Thus, the College aided in moulding the lives of women and reinforced the need of education for women. Eventually, a Women’s Cell was established in St. Thomas College in 2010 to enlighten and empower the female students, under the leadership of Dr. K. K. Jose, the then Principal of the College. It marked the beginning of the myriad awareness programmes and activities that have been organized for the well-being of the female students. In 2012, 2 lady teachers were appointed for the first time as permanent faculty members in the Aided courses. The appointment of lady teachers in the following years, strengthened the concept of gender inclusivity and made a remarkable difference in the Staff strength, too. At present, there are 54 ladies among the Teaching Staff and 14 ladies among the Non-teaching Staff. The College has produced distinguished women holding respectable positions in various public domains like academics, administration, research, cinema, music and art. Sunitha Bhaskar ISS, Girija R IAS, South Indian Cine Artist Miya, numerous Fellowship Awardees from the Departments of Science of our College doing research and job abroad, Teachers working in reputed Colleges and Schools in India are some of the proud alumnae of St. Thomas College, Palai.
As part of the educational institution’s policy to promote gender equity and encourage women’s participation more effectually, the College authorities took a momentous decision in 2023 to open the gates of wisdom for women too, in UG programmes. As a result, women were admitted in 2 B. A. programmes, namely, Politics and Malayalam, and in 2024, in the remaining UG programmes too. Thus, St. Thomas College, Palai made a benchmark by becoming a co-educational institution and rephrased its history again. Ms. Shilpa Mathew, an alumna and a Faculty Member of the Department of English was designated as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, for ensuring the welfare of the women student community.
The following initiatives of the College ensure that women feel safe and comfortable in the campus:
- Surveillance cameras are installed at key places to act as a deterrent against acts of harassment/violence against women.
- Internal Complaint’s Committee (ICC) under the leadership of Ms. Shilpa Mathew, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, functions for the prevention of sexual harassment against women.
- Gender Justice Forum under the leadership of Ms. Tinjumol Mathew, Faculty Member of the Department of Mathematics, addresses gender equity and prevention of discrimination against women and transgenders.
- Counselling services are arranged for the students of the College. The trained counselling staff include women Counsellors and Psychologists.
- Restrooms for women have been provided with incinerators.
- Students have sanitary napkins accessible from the Store in the campus.
As part of future course of action, an Institutional Women’s Cell with more members from the Staff and Students comprising a Chairperson, a Secretary, a Cell In-charge, a Member Faculty and Student Representatives will be taken into consideration, for the better and smooth functioning of the programmes and activities which will be held under the auspices of Women’s Cell and Gender Justice Forum.
