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Celebrated each year on March 8, International Women’s Day is a day dedicated to honouring the achievements of women throughout history, all across the globe and in different nations. To commemorate the International Women’s Day on 8th March, 2021, the Department of Adult and Continuing Education and Extension (DACEE), Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi organized an online National webinar on “Women and Nation Building: Issues and Challenges”. Dr. Shikha Kapur, Convenor and Moderator of the Webinar in her introductory remarks mentioned that over centuries, women have made exceptional and exemplary contribution in various fields and to the process of nation building.
But they have remained unsung and unrecognized. This webinar was organized with the aim to venture into life, works and contributions of some of the notable women icons from different professional arenas.The Chief Guest of the Webinar, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar, delivered the Key Note address emphasizing women in leadership in different institutions particularly educational institutions.
She highlighted the vital role that institutions ought to play in bridging gender disparities. She suggested that issues and challenges in women development could be countered by facilitating woman participation in every discipline especially the STEM- Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and other unconventional courses. She opined that since the task of nation building is complex, it cannot be undertaken with the exclusion of either sex.
The Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Ravinder Kumar in his motivational address quoted some beautiful shlokas and verses from Manu Smriti and Tagore. He underlined that women are builders of destinies. Education of females, respect, gender equity and inclusion are the base on which the process of nation building ought to rest.Dr. Anwara Hashmi, Assistant Professor, Ms. Bhawika Dangi, Mr. Gaurav Joshi and Mr. Mohd. Muqeem Ahmad, students of DACEE introduced the eminent speakers of the webinar.
Prof. Vandana Chakrabarti, Ex-PVC & Director, Lifelong Learning and Extension, from SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai highlighted that the path to nation building goes through adult literacy especially women literacy. Literacy has a transformative impact. It leads to respect for diversities, forming common identities, concern for development, understanding issues of fertility, domestic violence, alcoholism, sustainable development and good governance.
Dr. Shakila T. Shamsu Formerly OSD, NEP, MoE, GoI emphasized that that gender budgeting should not be a mere tokenism. Gaps in Policy formulation and implementation ought to be ironed out to make schools accessible for girls. Prof. Kirti Jain Former Director, National School of Drama, highlighted how theater underwent a transformation around the 60s. With emergence of women directors, the narrative of theatre changed to being more inclusive, participatory and collaborative.
Dr. Amita Mahajan, Senior Consultant, Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals enumerated women’s long struggle into medical field to establish themselves as healers. She underlined gender disparities, inconducive work environment, harassment at workplace coupled with heightened stress, familial expectations constantly faced by women doctors. Dr. Nisha Mendiratta, Advisor and Scientist-G & Associate Head, SPLICE, DST,GoI, mentioned many first achievements of women in science and technology.
To counter stereotyping in STEM, Dr. Mendiratta emphasized on four ‘S’ Self, support, society and System. Prof. Shohini Ghosh, Director (Officiating), AJK MCRC, JMI, discussed that art is a way to escape confinement. With changing times the media echo system has changed completely which can be labeled as ‘innovative disruption’. The glass ceiling has been broken in media and films by including women in all areas viz. reporting, direction, cinematography, sound etc. Prof. Sabiha Anjum Zaidi Director, Premchand Archives and Literary Centre, JMI made a profound presentation raising concerns about ‘constant silencing of women voices’.
She reiterated that in spite of an impressive array of women writers their work doesn’t get apt recognition. There is a need to archive voices of women for a better future, peace, harmony and ushering societal change.The webinar ended with the formal vote of thanks by Dr. Nasra Shabnam, Assistant Professor, DACEE, Jamia Millia Islamia.
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