KISS-DU has implemented a comprehensive plan to support women’s applications, acceptance, entry, and participation in higher education. The policy focuses on increasing access for first-generation Indigenous female students, especially PVTGs (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups).

1. KISS Gender Policy:
   1. KISS-DU is committed to the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment where all students, academic, administrative, and support staff, both female and male, enjoy equal opportunities, human rights, and non-discrimination in all spheres. https://university.kiss.ac.in/docs/Guidelines/Gender-Policy-2.pdf
   2. This commitment is reflected by the institutionalization of affirmative actions in the University’s admission processes and within its various units and programmes. This policy is to empower planning units to mainstream gender in plans, budgets, and monitoring and evaluation tools for greater impact towards gender equality and mutual accountability.
   3. This Gender Policy is an initiative of KISS-DU’s commitment to taking positive steps in gender planning for the institution’s sustenance, the promotion of gender justices, the management and prevention of gender violence, discrimination, and injustice. This policy commits KISS-DU to make human and financial capacity and resources available to support the quest for gender justice.
   4. The guiding principles for our Gender Policy are:
      1. Individuals in the university are not a homogenous group; therefore, the inter-and intra-sex differences must be considered to achieve substantive equality and equity;
      2. Gender equality means that the different behavior, aspirations, and needs of women, men, and individuals with any other sexual orientation are considered, valued, and favored equally;
      3. Transformation in individual consciousness about gender equality and women’s rights as well as organizational culture and governance is a prerequisite for gender equality and women’s empowerment; and
      4. Sustainable development is possible only if based on equal partnership and mutual respect between women, men, and individuals with other sexual orientations.
   5. The overall objective of the Gender Policy of KISS-DU is to define a common value system of gender equality, equity, and empowerment within the core functions of the University, namely, teaching and learning, research and innovation, knowledge transfer, and networking while specifying strategic interventions for institutional and organizational change.
2. Strategic Policy on Women Support – https://university.kiss.ac.in/3d-flip-book/strategic-policy-for-women-support/
   1. This Policy briefs the university framework followed for promoting gender sensitization, prevention of discrimination, nurture women’s leadership, and creation of safe inclusive campus that enables holistic growth. It supports the university’s vision of aligning education with social justice and inclusivity, in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality).
   2. Key elements of the policy include:
      1. Equal Access & Non-Discrimination in admissions with special support for women learners.
      2. Full scholarships, fee waivers, stipends, and transparent admission processes.
      3. Academic mentoring, tutoring, counselling, leadership opportunities, and monitoring through gender-disaggregated data.
      4. Dedicated support via Centre for Indigenous Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and STI Hub.
      5. Industry sponsored programmes such as Aspire for Her and Mahindra Pride Classroom to build career readiness, soft skills, and job preparedness.
      6. Equal pay, non-discriminatory recruitment, and focused career counselling.
      7. Robust Healthcare, Wellness & Emotional Support Systems for Women
      8. Regular programmes on menstrual health, hygiene, nutrition, and fitness facilities for women.
      9. Zero tolerance for sexual harassment with a fully functional Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
      10. Anti-Discrimination Cell, Anti-Ragging Cell, Students’ Grievance Cell with transparent processes.
      11. Safe transport, women-friendly hostels, 24×7 surveillance, female wardens and secure campus infrastructure.
      12. Mandatory Gender Sensitization and POSH training for all students and staff.
      13. Ensured representation of women in statutory bodies such as EC, AC, BoS.
      14. Regular leadership training, capacity-building, digital literacy and professional development for women.
      15. Interdisciplinary research on women’s health, gender equity, and empowerment.
      16. Active Centre for Women’s Studies facilitating research, advocacy, and outreach.
      17. Special mentoring and support for Women in STEM.
      18. Programmes promoting girl-child education, menstrual health awareness, prevention of early marriage.- Kanya Kiran (with UN Women), Patathon, Kalinga Fellowship.
      19. Systematic gender-disaggregated data analysis by Centre for Women Studies, ICC, and IQAC.