Ganderbal, July 22:(KNS) Women Empowerment Cell (WEC) of the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Wednesday, organized a National Webinar on ‘Gender Bias and Stereotyping in the Society-Some concerns’ at Green Campus of the varsity here.
Delivering the presidential address to both online and offline participants, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir, hailed the guest speakers for raising the relevant issues and topics pertaining to women including gender bias, sexual harassment, dowry deaths, female feticide, child marriage and stressed that “we need to seriously ponder upon such issues and tackle them accordingly.” He stressed that “discrimination starts from family and thus the mothers need to be oriented first.” He further said that in the context of women empowerment parents need to act as role model for their children.
National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson, Ms. Rekha Sharma in her inaugural address talked at length about the gender bias which, according to her, “starts even before the birth of a child.” She said that “Gender bias is deep rooted and we cannot think of a society without the bias, which is increasing with each passing day.” “Even when it comes to education, the quality education is preferred for boys mostly.” She stressed that counseling can help when both men and women have open minds and both should change their attitude and behavior. She believed that empowerment is possible when girls are capable and free enough to decide for themselves. In this context she said that the focus of NCW is on making women as job creators and not job seekers.
Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Annpurna Nautiyal, in her special address said that women in hilly areas are more vulnerable as they shoulder double responsibility (both at home and workplace) in the society. “Despite huge work load, they are active participants in various spheres of life.” She believed that gender bias is the result of “toxic masculinity which comes from the society itself.” She said that at “work place, male colleagues don’t value the idea of women as they feel it not worthy, thus our society is gendered as a whole.” She stressed that the mindset needs to be changed and - social, educational and economic harmony is the need of hour.”
Speaking on the occasion, Registrar, Prof Farooq Ahmad Shah said that gender bias has been historically there and almost all the realms of life have been affected by this attitude and thus stressed that this is the high time we realize our responsibilities.
Earlier, WEC Chairperson and programme convenor, Prof. Parveen Pandit, welcomed all the guests formally and introduced the theme of the topic. She said that women comprise 50 per cent of world population, but still “they have not been given their rightful place in the society, as a result they still, continue to be the victim of violence.” She said “the acts of men are appreciated and exemplified worldwide, but the roles played by women are still ignored.”
The inaugural session was conducted by Dr. Himabindu while as Dr. Sakina Akhtar, presented the vote of thanks. Ms. Saima Bashir was the rapporteur for the session. Later on technical sessions were also held during which experts discussed various important issues and challenges confronted by women across the world.(KNS)