The Department of Geography, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) organized an Invited Lecture (Online) entitled ‘Linking Gender and Development in India: Hopes and Paradoxes’ by Prof. Aparajita Chattopadhyay, Department of Population and Development, International Institute for Population Science, Mumbai under the Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) Pilot Project which is supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India on 30th November, 2022.
Prof. Haroon Sajjad, Head, Department of Geography, JMI welcomed the Guest Speaker and outlined the inspiring guidance and leadership of JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar (PI: GATI in STEMM Field) for successfully implementing the GATI-Pilot project at the University level. Prof. Sajjad also appreciated Prof. Simi Farhat Basir, Nodal Officer, GATI-JMI and Dean, Faculty of Natural Sciences for her constant encouragement and support.
Prof. Aparajita Chattopadhyay laid out the strong motivation and inspirations through discussing the exemplary accomplishment and courage of several Indian women achievers in the diverse fields of education, science, medicine, technology, arts, politics, law, business etc. during the rich Indian history and recent times. Prof. Chattopadhyay quoted Swami Vivekananda that ‘the best thermometer to the progress of a nation is its treatment of its women’ and underscored that a nation akin to a bird can progress well if it flies with both wings i.e. equal opportunities and treatment for women and men in the society. She highlighted the critical role of traditional cultural preferences for the son, biased patriarchal norms regulating gender roles and opportunities-often against women, misuse of technologies (female foeticides), market/business world (unequal pay for same work; lack of facilities of child care), marriage markets (dowry and age at marriage), violence and discrimination against women/girls (family, neighbourhood, public institutions) and policy making processes as important factors shaping the opportunities and development outcomes in general, and women in particular in the Indian context.
Prof. Chattopadhyay called for greater investment in female education (also higher educational institutions), better facilities in public spheres/institutions, household level efforts to inculcate egalitarian gender roles and responsibilities for both girls and boys, investment in skills building and training to enhance the economic opportunities of women; economic focus on revival of primary and secondary sector to absorb large population.
The lecture was well attended and received excellent response from over 60 faculty members, PhD scholars and postgraduate/ undergraduate students. Dr. Praveen Kumar Pathak, Coordinator, Extension/Invited Lecture, Department of Geography, JMI proposed the formal vote of thanks.
