To My Daughters and Every Daughter in Academia – Shine Bright, Take Up Space, and Never Dim Your Light.
“Yatra naryastu pujyante ramante tatra devata” – “Where women are treated with respect and equality, prosperity, growth, and a heavenly abode follow.” – An Ancient Indian Saying.
Sounds beautiful, doesn’t it? But let’s be honest—how far are we from truly living this truth?
As a father of two fierce, intelligent, and independent daughters, I have the privilege of watching them carve their own paths, question norms, and stand tall in their beliefs. And trust me, with their teenage years in full swing, their independence is louder than ever!
But behind my pride is a deep, unsettling concern. Because no matter how strong they are, the world will still judge them unfairly.
- A man “working the room” is praised as a great networker. A woman doing the same? She’s labelled as inappropriate.
- From the clothes she wears to the shape of her body, the makeup she applies (or doesn’t), and the tone of her voice—every detail is scrutinized. Too bold? Too subtle? Either way, she’s judged.
- Women are too often the punchline of casual jokes—dismissed, diminished, and expected to laugh along.
- Speak her mind? She’s aggressive. Stay quiet? She’s weak. No matter what she does, it’s never quite right, is it?
And let’s talk about universities—where we like to think merit and intellect determine success. But do they?
- Less than 30% of university vice-chancellors globally are women.
- Women in academia are still paid less than their male colleagues, with a persistent gender pay gap in higher education.
- Women are awarded fewer research grants and receive significantly less funding than men—despite equal or superior qualifications.
- Women in academia are less likely to be cited, published in high-impact journals, or promoted to full professor roles at the same rate as men.
- Women face disproportionate service workloads—expected to take on more teaching, mentoring, and administrative tasks while men focus on research and leadership pathways.
I wish I could promise my daughters that the world will be fair to them. That their hard work alone will be enough. But I know better.
I’ve seen it firsthand—female foeticide, cultural barriers, societal expectations that shackle women before they even get a chance to run. And yet, despite all odds, I have had the honor of working alongside phenomenal women who lead with brilliance, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
But let’s be clear: The responsibility of change does NOT rest on women alone.
Dear men, we all have a circle of influence. It’s in how we treat the women in our lives. How we advocate for fairness. How we challenge outdated norms. How we create a world where my daughters, your daughters, all daughters—can thrive without barriers.
To my friends, colleagues, and every woman who continues to inspire me daily—thank you for your strength, your fight, and your refusal to settle for less.
And to my daughters—my greatest teachers, my fiercest inspirations—I hope you never shrink yourself to fit into a world that wasn’t built for you. I hope you keep challenging, keep questioning, keep taking up space, and keep making people uncomfortable when you must. Because this world needs you exactly as you are.
I may not be able to promise you a fair world, but I will spend every breath fighting for one.
Let’s stop just talking about equality. Let’s build it.
Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them. And most importantly—may we fight alongside them.
Professor Raj Shekhawat is Dean of Research at Flinders University’s College of Education, Psychology and Social Work. The views expressed in this article are his own.
