The three week long centenary celebration of International Women’s Day organised by Amity University on the theme “Equal Access to Education, Science & Technology: Pathway to Decent Work for Women” kick started at the Amity Campus, Sector – 125, Noida.
The celebration of International Women’s Day is to salute the women achievers politically, socially and economically and motivate the entire women folk to liberate themselves from the age old social evils that are being imposed on them since time immemorial. The motivating slogan adopted by Amity University for women empowerment is “Strong Women, Strong India, Strong World”.
A panel discussion was organised on the day with eminent guest speakers Dr. Aruna Mukim, Chairperson, Amanuday and Anupama Jha, Executive Director, Transparency International India.
Welcoming and addressing the august gathering, Prof. Abha Singh, Director, Amity Institute of Behavioral Health and Allied Sciences said that the International Women’s Day is celebrated to remind us to reaffirm, resurrect and indebt the commitment of women empowerment. Women are the centre of life and society cannot grow without women’s contribution. Therefore, it is essential to look into the rights of women. Although women are considered second citizen’s but the contribution of women in every walk of life is noteworthy. Women are the creator, caretaker and fighter. It is true and well said that behind every successful man there is a women and it is also true that behind every successful women there is determination and hard work.”
Anupama Jha, Executive Director, Transparency International India said, “whatever the women do, it must be twice the good to compete with their male counterparts, to be considered half as good in every aspect is still the norm followed in Indian Culture be it home or at work. Unequal status is provided to women in comparison with male counterparts since time immemorial. But women can be self-sufficient and independent if opportunities are provided. The major problem in Indian society is that women are not allowed to take decisions as still women are looked down upon. Lack of education, early marriage, early pregnancy and male domination are certain problems which the women in India are still facing. We are trying to empower ourselves. We are to think for the development of the country too. As it is believed that one’s motherland is more important than one’s mother.”
There was a very interactive and thought provoking Question and Answer session.
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The students presented a Skit – “Voice of Reasons” which depicted various problems the women in the society are facing, video presentation “Strength of SHE”, Poem recitation on women empowerment, inter institution poster making competition on the theme “Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace” on the occasion.
An enriching panel discussion unfolded during the second day of the month long celebration of International Women’s Day wherein eminent speakers like – Amal Allana, Chairperson, National School of Drama, Satwant Atwal Trivedi, DIG National Investigation Agency and Mrs. Justice Gyan Sudha Mishra, Supreme Court of India contributed their valuable experiences.
During the panel discussion Justice Mrs. Gyan Sudha Mishra, Supreme Court of India stated that there is a need to analyse the reason to persisting gender bias in our society despite the sky rocketing advancements in all of its senses and said “it is time to reform the attitude towards women who have been denied equality, although the Constitution has provided a charter to establish absolute equality amongst men and women but it is about the mindset and determination to fight for their own rights battling with the legacy of tradition.”
During the panel discussion Satwant Atwal Trivedi, DIG National Investigation Agency urged the audience to understand that women have never been the weaker sex and said “There is nothing called a Man’s world and it is entirely about the being aware of the capabilities that women are innately blessed with and teaming it up with the available opportunities will prove the fact that Sex is biological but Gender is only social.”
Sharing his thoughts during the panel discussion Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Group said “Besides the visible advancements made by women in various fields, it has to agreed upon that even those women who have chosen to remain indoors are no behind in terms of their intellectual capabilities as their managerial quality and talent are evident in their most obvious roles of homemakers.”
During the three week long centenary celebration of International Women’s Day there will be more debates and discussion on the topics Role of Women in Corruption Eradication; Role of Women in Good Governance; Role of Women in managing Conflicts; Celebrating Past, Planning for future- from Women’s perspective; Role and achievements of women in Science and Technology; Breaking glass Ceiling in workplace- issues and challenges faced by women and Education of a girl child – way to development of two families and nation building.