SRINAGAR: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, today inaugurated a two-day international conference on “Gender Sensitisation, Rights, Policies and Issues” at Government College for Women, M A road here.
The conference, organized by Cluster University Srinagar (CUS), was aimed at fostering meaningful discussions and collaboration on critical topics pertaining to gender equality and empowerment.
Vice Chancellor, CUS, Professor Qayyum Hussain, Director SKIMS, Dr. Parvez Koul, Principal GCW, Srinagar, Professor Ruhi Jan Kanth, Dean Students Welfare, CUS, Deans of different schools, Professors, scholars, and a large number of students were present on the occasion.
Advisor Bhatnagar, while addressing the occasion, said that this International Conference is part of ongoing G-20 events being held across the country. He mentioned about recent conduct of the successful G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar which gave the message to the world regarding hope, harmony, peace, and stability prevailing in J&K. He added that with the success of ongoing G-20 events in the country, India is marching forward and claiming its place in the global order.
Advisor also remarked that with the successful culmination of the G-20 event in Srinagar, the tourism sector of J&K has got a tremendous boost.
Speaking to a gathering of scholars, students, and eminent personalities on different aspects of this International Conference, Advisor Bhatnagar said that gender equality forms the core of the SDGs of the UN. “There has been a sea change in the approach of things towards gender sensitization in our country,” he added.
He said that without women’s empowerment, the country cannot progress and therefore several programmes and schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, UJWALA, Nari Shakti Puraskar, and others have been started by Union Government in this regard.
Advisor further said that women empowerment forms a core part of ‘Amrit Kaal’ and the present government has made significant progress in gender equality as well as gender index rankings.
While speaking on gender-responsive development policies of Jammu and Kashmir, Advisor Bhatnagar maintained that under the inspirational vision of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, women are being treated as critical partners in ongoing growth, development, and peace process in Jammu and Kashmir.
He added that more than 6000 successful women entrepreneurs have been provided financial help by the J&K government and 60,000 SHGs have been established in the nook and corner of J&K with the help Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission.
Commending the CUS for organizing this conference, Advisor Bhatnagar said that the event will provide a platform for knowledge exchange, exploring innovative strategies, and formulating effective policies to address the challenges faced by women and gender minorities.
In his address, VC, CUS, spoke in length about different aspects of this conference and emphasized the significance of gender sensitization and the importance of upholding women’s rights in building an equitable society. He also gave a brief outline of the functioning of CUS.
In her inaugural address, Principal GCW said that this college has played a pivotal role in women’s education and women’s empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir. She added that this conference is a step towards addressing taboos associated with gender equality.
While delivering a welcome address, DSW, CUS said that gender sensitization is a crucial aspect of building a just and equitable society.
Director SKIMS, Dr. Parvez Koul, Professor Vijay Lakshmi Brara, Professor, of Sociology, Royal Global University Guwahati, and Professor Ritu Khanduri, Associate Professor, Anthropology, University of Texas, USA delivered keynote addresses during the conference.
During the inauguration session of the conference, a souvenir on gender sensitization was also released by Advisor Bhatnagar alongwith other dignitaries.
Pertinently, the two-day conference features a diverse range of sessions, workshops, and panel discussions led by renowned experts. Prominent themes included gender-based violence, women’s health and well-being, gender mainstreaming in education and workplaces, legal frameworks for gender equality, and the role of technology in advancing gender rights.
