IIT Delhi Opens Dedicated Lactation Room: A Step Towards Inclusive Campus Workspaces
In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering a more inclusive and supportive workplace environment, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has inaugurated its first lactation room for employees. The facility, supported through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding from Shorthills AI, marks a significant milestone in promoting gender-sensitive infrastructure within premier academic institutions.
A Space that Makes a Difference
Located within the IIT Delhi campus, the new lactation room is a private, hygienic, and welcoming space designated exclusively for nursing mothers. With this development, IIT Delhi joins a growing but still limited list of educational institutions in India that offer essential workplace amenities catering to the needs of working mothers.
The lactation room is now accessible to all nursing mothers on campus, including faculty, staff, and students. The provision of such a facility is a simple yet transformative step, offering new mothers the ability to balance their maternal responsibilities with professional or academic commitments without discomfort or disruption.
A Heartfelt Inauguration
The inauguration ceremony of the lactation room was a heartfelt affair. Adding a deeply personal touch to the event, a new mother from the IIT Delhi community was invited to participate in the proceedings. This symbolic gesture underlined the real-life relevance and emotional value of such initiatives.
Professor Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, addressed the gathering, reaffirming the institute's commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. His presence and remarks reflected the leadership's alignment with the needs of women on campus.
CSR Support by Shorthills AI
The initiative was made possible by CSR support from Shorthills AI, a data and AI-focused technology company. The involvement of a tech firm in maternal and workplace support within an academic setting is both noteworthy and inspiring. It speaks volumes about the evolving nature of CSR in India, where companies are beginning to invest not just in infrastructure or digital education, but also in human-centered well-being.
Paramdeep Singh, Co-Founder of Shorthills AI and an alumnus of IIT Delhi, highlighted the importance of equal opportunity and support. "Real progress begins with equal opportunity and care for all. We are honoured to support IIT Delhi in this important initiative," he said.
He further reflected on the meaningfulness of the project from a personal and professional standpoint: "As an alumnus of the institute, it feels meaningful to give back to the ecosystem that shaped us. This initiative reflects our core values -- enabling, uplifting, and standing beside women at every stage of their journey."
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
Professor Angelie Multani, Dean of Diversity and Inclusion at IIT Delhi, played a pivotal role in spearheading this project. She emphasized the impact of such spaces in contributing to a more humane and empathetic workplace. "Lactation rooms demonstrate our commitment to employees and students' well-being and to a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture where everyone's needs are important," she stated.
By addressing the specific needs of nursing mothers, the lactation room contributes to IIT Delhi’s broader diversity and inclusion goals. It also aligns with global best practices in academic and corporate settings that recognize the value of gender-sensitive infrastructure in retaining and empowering women in the workforce.
More Than Just a Room
While the lactation room is modest in size, its potential impact is vast. In many workplaces, the absence of dedicated nursing spaces forces mothers to make uncomfortable choices that often hinder their productivity and mental well-being. IIT Delhi’s move not only addresses a basic requirement but sets a standard for other academic and research institutions to follow.
This step also acts as a gentle reminder to corporate and academic spaces across the country about the importance of such facilities. In an era when conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion are finally taking center stage, practical measures like these are crucial in translating dialogue into action.
A Model for Other Institutions
The establishment of this lactation room could act as a catalyst for similar initiatives across Indian academia. With a high number of women pursuing careers in STEM and academia, there is a pressing need for supportive infrastructure that enables rather than obstructs their journey.
IIT Delhi’s leadership in this regard could influence other IITs, NITs, and higher education institutions to replicate this model, encouraging widespread cultural and infrastructural change.
Looking Ahead
As the lactation room opens its doors, it also opens up new conversations—about what inclusivity truly means in professional spaces, about how small infrastructural changes can have a lasting societal impact, and about the role of academia and corporate partnerships in fostering environments where all individuals feel valued.
Sometimes, the most significant shifts begin in the smallest rooms. With this thoughtful initiative, IIT Delhi has taken a considerable step forward in ensuring that motherhood and a career need not be mutually exclusive.
