Breaking Free: Women in Higher Education and the Psychological Rebirth of Identity

For many women in India, stepping into a college institution is more than just an academic pursuit; it is an act of emancipation. It marks a break from household restrictions, deeply ingrained gender roles, and the psychological burden of cultural expectations. The shift from a controlled, patriarchal home environment to an educational space that encourages critical thinking and independence is, in many ways, a “breaking free” movement—one that signifies personal growth, identity reconstruction, and social transformation.

The Psychological Impact of Breaking Free

This internal tug-of-war—between tasting freedom and carrying the weight of lifelong expectations—felt like standing at a crossroads. On one hand, I had the liberty to go out, explore, and make choices that were entirely my own. On the other, there was an unshakable voice in my head reminding me that education wasn’t just an option; it was a duty, almost a pre-written script that I had to follow.

For many women, this conflict isn’t just about academics—it’s about every aspect of life. Should we pursue our dreams or settle for what’s expected? Should we prioritise our aspirations or fulfil family obligations? The pressure to be "a good daughter" often clashes with the desire to carve our paths.

Even in college, many women find themselves constantly justifying their decisions. Whether it’s choosing an unconventional field of study, staying out late for projects, or deciding to move to another city for better opportunities—there’s always a lingering fear of judgment. The real struggle is not just getting an education but proving that we deserve the space to make our own choices without guilt.

“When I was in Bombay, I had the freedom to go out and drink—a stark contrast to the structured environment I grew up in. This newfound autonomy was exhilarating, yet it also came with an underlying sense of responsibility. While I could make independent choices about my social life, there was always a voice in the back of my mind reminding me of the academic expectations deeply ingrained in me since childhood,” says Zara, a 20-year-old student at IIT Hyderabad who pursued her undergrad in Bombay. 

The Legacy of Education as a Gateway to Freedom

For many women, stepping into college is more than just a step towards higher education—it is an entry into a world that encourages independence, self-discovery, and confidence. While academic learning is crucial, it is the exposure to different clubs, departments, and activities that truly transforms their lives. It allows them to build skills, challenge their doubts, and even turn passions into lifelong careers.

As a lawyer, Maneka Guruswamy, challenged Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, while she had to navigate a male-dominated judiciary while advocating for a cause that was historically marginalised. Her success in helping strike down 377 in 2018 was not just a legal victory—it was a landmark moment for gender and sexual equality in India. Her journey proves that intellectual empowerment is more than personal success; it has the power to reshape society, challenge outdated laws, and open doors for future generations to live freely and with dignity.

The transformative power of education is not just seen in the stories of global icons but also in the experiences of everyday women who use academic spaces to redefine their lives.

Anjali, a PhD candidate in Anthropology, grew up in a small town where higher education for women was seen as unnecessary. “My family believed a girl’s ultimate goal was marriage. When I got admission for my PhD, my relatives called it ‘too much education’ for a woman. But for me, it was the only way to escape a life that had already been decided for me.” Now, Anjali’s research focuses on gender, ensuring that the next generation of women will have more opportunities than she did.

She also recalls how she initially felt out of place in an academic space that was dominated by men. Coming from a family where education for girls was only tolerated as long as it didn’t interfere with marriage plans, she had spent years being told that her place was within the home. But joining her department’s research group gave her the space to ask bigger questions, meet mentors who encouraged her, and most importantly, realise that her thoughts and work mattered. “In my home, women didn’t speak about politics or society. It was considered unnecessary for us to engage in such topics. But in college, I was allowed to debate, defend my ideas, and write papers that challenged long-held beliefs. It was the first time I realised I could take up space and that my words had weight.” Today, she is mentoring young women in research and teaching them the importance of critical thinking, ensuring that the cycle of change continues.

Megha, an MTech student, started her journey with restrictions—her parents only allowed her to study engineering at a college close to home, believing that a girl’s education should be ‘safe’ and within their control. But when she finally moved for her MTech, everything changed. “Back home, my life was planned out for me. I had a curfew, a set routine, and no say in decisions. In college, for the first time, I could decide when to study, when to go out, and what kind of projects I wanted to take on. That freedom felt strange at first like I was doing something wrong, but eventually, it gave me confidence.” What changed things for her was joining the college’s entrepreneurship cell, where she met students who were working on startups, discussing funding opportunities, and building companies from scratch. That exposure made her realise that she didn’t have to follow a traditional job route—she could create something of her own. She started working on an idea related to AI-driven education tools and is now pitching it to investors, something she never imagined doing when she first started college.

The Gender Gap in Education: A Wake-Up Call for India

India’s struggle with gender disparity in education is evident in its global rankings and national surveys. According to the United Nations Human Development Index (2022), India ranks 132nd, with its Gender Inequality Index position at 122nd out of 191 countries, highlighting critical gaps in education, economic participation, and political empowerment. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) further reveals that while female literacy has improved, 61% of women are literate compared to 81.4% of men, and over 50% of women are still unable to complete their education. Rural education for women has seen a shift, with the percentage of women with more than 10 years of schooling rising from 21% in 2005-06 to 42% in 2020-21, yet the gap remains significant. These figures underscore how education is still an uphill battle for many women, reinforcing the urgent need for stronger institutional support, better access to higher education, and societal change to ensure that women not only enroll in schools and colleges but also complete their education and achieve economic independence. 

In an interview with Molshree (Correspondent at Local Samosa), who has pursued her education across different parts of India, she highlighted how migration plays a key role in expanding opportunities for women. Coming from Patna, she moved to Rajasthan to study journalism—an unconventional choice in a region where many women are still pressured into traditional career paths or early marriage. Despite her own privilege of having supportive parents, she observed that the struggles of rural and semi-rural women remain largely the same, even when they move to urban areas. “People think that just because you shift to a city, things automatically get better for women. But the reality is, if the region itself has gender disparities, even migrating women still face the same mindset and challenges. The women of the new place are still dealing with the same oppression, so the environment doesn’t change overnight.”

She also pointed out that opportunities are growing in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, with companies increasingly prioritising inclusivity by hiring women, trans people, and disabled individuals. “The rise of work-from-home jobs and technology has created new spaces for women who may not have been allowed to work otherwise. If there is good infrastructure, safety follows. Once safety is established, women get habituated to the space, and when representation happens, more women feel encouraged to step out and participate—something that is already visible in Tier 1 cities.”

Her experience highlights the importance of both education and migration in breaking barriers. While moving to urban centers can provide better access to learning and jobs, the real change happens when women are not just present in these spaces but also seen, heard, and included in decision-making roles.

Beyond Degrees

The journey of women entering higher education is not merely about academic success. It is a psychological revolution, where they dismantle internalised biases, embrace autonomy, and redefine their self-worth. It is a breaking-free movement in the truest sense—one that extends beyond the classroom and reshapes society itself.

Beyond academics, college fests, cultural societies, and tech clubs open up doors that women often don’t realise exist. Many students who start photography or dance as a hobby in these clubs go on to build full-fledged careers out of them. Those who take part in organising college events learn leadership and management skills that help them get jobs in event planning and corporate roles. Megha, who initially saw herself only as an engineering student, now looks at herself as someone who can run a business, pitch ideas, and create solutions. Anjali, once unsure about her presence in an academic space, now leads discussions with confidence. Farida, who grew up thinking women’s voices should be quiet, now makes sure her voice is heard every day in her classroom.

For women, college is more than just a place of learning—it is a space that allows them to become who they were meant to be. The departments they study in, the clubs they join, and the opportunities they take up help them break out of the limitations that society places on them. The most powerful transformation is not just academic success but the realisation that they are capable of shaping their own futures, on their terms.

As more women step into institutions that challenge patriarchal narratives, the ripple effect of their empowerment will be felt across generations. Education does not just change individual lives; it transforms entire communities, making way for a future where freedom is not a privilege but a fundamental right.