Gender equality is one of the key challenges facing society today. It covers many aspects, including pay, employment opportunities and access to education.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) look to tackle some of today’s biggest global issues, and SDG 5 addresses the issue of gender equality.
As part of the 2026 Sustainability Impact Ratings, Times Higher Education has ranked universities according to how they are contributing to gender equality. Some of the measures looked at are research on the study of gender equality, student access measures, the proportion of first-generation female students, the proportion of senior female academics and women’s progress measures. You can read more about the methodology here.
Top five universities for gender equality
1. Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Manipal Academy of Higher Education moves up 10 places to take the first place position for gender equality.
Manipal Academy of Higher Education promotes gender equality by providing women with equal access to education and providing a safe campus for them to study.
The university hosts research seminars on topics such as female mental health, women and law, and public health policies for women in India. Research projects at the university include looking at safe digital spaces for women, family planning and fertility rates.
2. Bahçeşehir University
Bahçeşehir University maintains its second place position from last year.
Bahçeşehir University has created a Gender Equality Action Plan to ensure fair representation at the institution.
The plan covers a wide range of initiatives including updating the curriculum to include gender equality, organising workshops and seminars for staff and students on gender equity and promoting research projects on gender equality.
3. Management and Science University
Management and Science University climbs 37 places this year to this year’s third place.
The university encourages leadership among female students. Leadership roles in the Student Representative Council are open to all students regardless of gender.
The university collaborates with government agencies, industry partners, organisations and community groups to create programmes and raise awareness of gender equality.
4. Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies
Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies moves from the 201-300 band to enter into the top five.
The university organises workshops, campaigns and events to raise awareness of gender equality and social issues.
5. Walailak University
Walailak University released a policy that promotes gender equality and anti-harassment. This policy includes accepting that staff and students can dress according to their gender identity (including uniforms and graduation gowns) and that the university supports the formation of advocacy and support groups for women and the LGBTQ community.
The university has also seen an increase in female staff in leadership positions since 2016.
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