AMU continues to observe ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women’

Aligarh: Faculty members and students across various faculties, departments, colleges and schools of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) continue to promote women rights and gender equality with a series of awareness events to observe the ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women’.

In the ‘Discrimination against Women Pakhwada (fortnight)’ at the Paramedical College that concluded on December 10, a slew of awareness programmes including a sensitisation workshop on the problem of sexual harassment, poetry and speech contests, poster-making competition and Nukkad Natak (Street Play) took place to raise awareness on equal enjoyment of all human rights by women and their freedoms for access to justice, socio-economic equality and participation in decision-making.

“Gender equality is at the very heart of human rights and gender-based discrimination is prohibited under almost every human rights treaty. Despite much progress made in securing women’s rights globally, millions of women and girls continue to experience discrimination and violence. It is high time for the whole world to come together to end violence and discrimination against women”, said Prof Ibne Ahmad (Principal, Paramedical College).

Conducting the sensitisation workshop, Dr Wasil Hasan said: “Since discrimination and violence against women is persistent, systematic and deeply rooted in the fabric of societies, there is a need for massive awareness campaigns across the globe”.

He called the students and employees to gain knowledge on the provisions for prevention and prohibition of sexual harassment at workplaces.

Zakia and Rumiza Shakeel conducted the various events.

In a similar programme at the Z A Dental College (ZADC); guest speakers from the Department of Political Science, Prof Rachana Kaushal and Dr Adil Ghaznavi were invited to deliver lectures on ‘Creating Awareness against Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace’.

Pressing the need for ensuring safe working environment for women, the invited speakers said: “The Indian laws recognise that sexual harassment at work is a common experience of women, which impacts women’s work as well as wellbeing. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act, 2013 (POSH Act) of India requires all workplaces with more than 10 employees to have an internal committee to prevent and address cases of sexual harassment at the workplace”.

Prof R K Tewari (Principal, ZADC) called for commitment to end all forms of violence and discrimination against women that negatively impact the society, hamper gender equality and constricts the social and economic development of the Country.

Prof Geeta Rajput (Chairperson, Sexual Harassment Committee, ZADC) conducted the programme.

Other committee members Prof M K Jindal, Dr Juhi Gupta and Dr Iman Ahmad highlighted sexual harassment as a gross violation of women’s right to equality and dignity.

A special interactive session on women rights was held at the Ahmadi School for the Visually Challenged where teachers explained ‘Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, 2013’ through a Power Point Presentation.

The programme also included awareness audios on women rights and gender based discrimination, said Dr Naila Rashid (Principal, Ahmadi School).

Awareness lectures to sensitise students on women issues were also held at the AMU Girls’ School.

Amna Malik (Principal, AMU Girls’ School) said: “Students participated in a poster-making contest and an awareness march. Women helpline numbers were displayed at various entry and exit points and other areas of the school”.