Under the aegis of the Office of the Dean, Students’ Welfare, and with the overarching chief patronage of the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Asif and the esteemed patronage of Registrar Prof. Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi, the Gender Champion Club of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), in partnership with the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, JMI, hosted a one-day Gender Mela on 17th February 2026.
The event took place under the proficient leadership of Prof. Neelofer Afzal, Dean of Students' Welfare and Advisor to the Club. Formed in compliance with UGC guidelines, the Gender Champion Club is dedicated to fostering a campus atmosphere that is gender-sensitive, inclusive, and equitable.
The Gender Mela was organised as part of this ongoing effort to encourage dialogue, creativity, and awareness among students about gender issues. As part of the programme, four thoughtfully designed events were organised throughout the day.
The first event was the Poster Making Competition on the theme “Gender: Then and Now”. Through colours, symbols, and visual narratives, students reflected on how gender roles and perceptions have evolved over time, while also highlighting the challenges that still persist.
This was followed by a Panel Discussion on the theme “Gender: Then, Now, Why, and How”. The panel engaged in meaningful discussions on the relationship between gender and religion, experiences of gender discrimination in elementary schools, and the issue of gender-based violence from men’s perspectives. The session encouraged critical thinking and honest reflection. It concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, where students actively shared their views and sought clarifications from the panelists.
In the afternoon, the Story Writing Competition on “Undoing Gender in Fairy Tales” invited participants to reimagine traditional stories. Students creatively challenged stereotypes and presented alternative narratives that promoted equality, sensitivity, and empowerment.
The programme concluded with a vibrant Cultural Evening , which added energy and emotional depth to the Mela. The Chief Guest of the occasion was Mrs Shabaya Asif whose kind and gracious presence was a source of immense encouragement and enthusiasm for all. The evening saw a string of performances including two very powerful acts- one depicting the life of a young girl's transition to womanhood and the other a dance-drama depicting a man who does not subscribe to traditional gender roles. The programme ended with a stirring performance by 'The Creative Thinkers Forum ' depicting violence against women and the need for collective action and social change.
The festivities ended with distribution of prizes and certificates to winners of the various competitions held during the day. The winners were appreciated and felicitated by the hon’ble Chief Guest and Dean Students' Welfare.
Overall, the Gender Mela 2026 provided a meaningful and engaging platform for students to reflect, express, and participate in conversations around gender and social justice. It attracted participation from students across faculties and across courses from undergraduate to doctoral level. The event successfully strengthened the spirit of inclusion, awareness, and responsibility within the university community.
