International Women’s Day at AMU
Aligarh : Faculty members and students of various departments and faculties of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) commemorated the social, political and economic achievements of women and called for equal treatment and representation in the International Women’s Day Celebration on the theme, ‘Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow’.
In the series of lectures and webinars to mark the occasion at the Advanced Centre for Women’s Studies, Anjuman Nikhat Jafri (Assistant Commissioner of Goods and Service Tax, Aligarh) pressed for solidarity among women and their security.
She said: “Regardless of the cultural and religious differences, women should try to find similarities and build the much needed solidarity”.
She expressed concerns on the safety of women and the necessity for immediately bringing cases of feticides, domestic violence, trafficking, honour killings and harassment to an end.
Bhavna Vimal (Sub Divisional Magistrate, Gabhana, Aligarh) drew attention to the need of women education for mobility, opportunities and emancipation.
She motivated students to qualify administrative services exams and answered their queries.
Dr Azra Musavi (Director, Advanced Centre for Women’s Studies) talked about the interdisciplinary approach to study women’s contributions at the Advanced Centre for Women’s Studies.
She delineated cultural constructs of gender and changed the social status of women.
Prof Azra also gave a presentation on activities of the Advanced Centre for Women’s Studies.
Speaking on the Women’s Day theme, ‘Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow’, Dr Tarushikha Sarvesh (Assistant Professor, Advanced Centre for Women’s Studies) said that the climate crisis and gender inequality are two core issues at the heart of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Sheeraz Ahmed introduced the speakers and Shuaa Noor extended the vote of thanks.
Second year junior residents, Dr Iqra and Dr Sarah won the Quiz contest on ‘Inspirational and Influential Women around the World’ held to mark the Women’s Day at the Department of Pathology, J N Medical College (JNMC). Third year junior residents, Dr Daud and Dr Radhika stood second.
Dr Bushra Siddiqui won the poster-making competition in which Dr Zeeshan Naheed finished second. Dr Iqra and Dr Nuzra were the respective winners and runner-ups for their self-composed poetry and Dr Bushra Siddiqui also won the slogan-writing contest with Dr Ankita securing the second place.
In the welcome address, Prof S H Arif (Chairman, Department of Pathology) stressed the need for increasing women representation in all fields.
He called for awareness on gender neutral society and bringing to end the prevailing gender bias.
Prof Veena Maheshwari, Prof Kiran Alam, Prof Mahboob Hasan, Prof NishatAfroz, Prof Roobina Khan and Dr Ruquiya Afrose delivered speeches on the position of women in the past and present.
Prof Kafil Akhtar, Prof Mohd Jaseem Hassan, Dr Feroz Alam and Dr Suhailur Rehman talked about the necessity of celebrating cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women.
Faculty members and the resident doctors of the Department of Surgery, JNMC joined the global celebration of women’s achievements by starting a week-long health awareness programme and health camp on March 8.
“The objective is to spread awareness on breast cancer prevention and on its cure and. Over 110 women have so far participated in the programme”, said Prof Afzal Anees (Chairman, Department of Surgery).
Prof Mohammad Habib Raza, Prof Mohammad Aslam, Prof Syed Amjad Ali Rizvi, Prof Syed Hasan Harris, Prof Atia Zakaur Rab, Dr Wasif Mohammad Ali, Dr Mohammad Sadik Akhtar, Dr Shahbaz Habib Faridi, Dr Manzoor Ahmad, Dr Yusuf Afaque, Dr Mohammad Nafees and Dr Syed Aakif Faridi explained how early detection and screening, can catch the disease when it is most treatable.
Resident doctors, Dr Mithlesh Yadav, Dr Muktesh Panday, Dr Mushfira Sohail, Dr Khadeeja Tanveer, Dr Asiya Zehra, Dr Maikal Kujur, Dr Shereen Fatima, Dr Faizan Anwar, Dr Shalini Goswami and Dr Asha answered queries of women attending the camp.
Informative videos on Self Breast Examination (SBE) were also screened on the occasion. The week-long observations will also feature a Continuing Medical Education programme on breast cancer and stress related issues. A quiz contest and an influencer’s story event are also lined up.
Deepak Sharma, Surbhi Sharma and Raghavendra were declared the winners of the poetry writing competition held to celebrate Women’s Day at the Department of Radiotherapy.
Vartika Mittal, Neha Lal and Dr Danish Kamal won the story writing contest; Sidra Asif, Zeeshan Nahid, and Kriti were the prize winners of the painting competition and Aparna and her team, Vvas, Apoorva and Dr Vibahv Kanth won the short video making contest.
Prof Naima K Gulrez (Principal, Women’s College) was the Chief Guest of the programme with Prof Rana K Sherwani, Dr Shadab M Rizvi, and Tahira Siddiqui (Vice-Principal, Al-Barkaat Public School) as the Guests of Honour.
Prof Zehra Mohsin (Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology) moderated the interactive session with female cancer patients and spoke about the psychosocial aspects of being a female cancer patient or a female caregiver to a cancer patient.
The printed version of the e-book, ‘The Survivante’ was also released on the occasion.
Prof Shahid Ali Siddiqui (Principal JNMC) extended the vote of thanks.
Subject experts spoke about women leadership and the unique ability of women as ‘drivers of solutions’ in the webinar on ‘Women as Agents of Change’ of the Law Society, Department of Law, Malappuram Centre.
The Chief Guest, Prof Nuzhat Parveen Khan (Dean, School of Law, Bennett University, Greater Noida) delineated the role of women in society development and their participation in the legal field.
Dr Zeba Alam (Nalanda Medical College, Patna) discussed the historical role of women and their contributions to various fields of knowledge.
Renowned journalist and author, Zehra Naqvi spoke on domestic violence and the necessary measures to prevent it.
Dr Lubna Irfan (Teacher-in-Charge, Law Society) recited poetry on women emancipation and empowerment.
Dr Shahnawaz Ahmad Malik (Convener, Law Society Malappuram) delivered the welcome address and introduced the speakers.
Dr Shally Victor extended the vote of thanks.
In the online programme on ‘Women Empowerment’ of the Ahmadi School for the Visually Challenged, Dr Syed Nadeem Fatmi (Department of Sociology) urged to promote women’s sense of self-worth, their ability to determine their own choices, and their right to influence social change for themselves and others.
“Women are strong, invincible and powerful with infinite determination and empowering them will create gender equality”, said Dr Syed Nadeem.
In her speech on ‘Being a woman is a wonderful gift of God’, Dr Naila Rashid (School Principal) emphasised that there is a need to accept women’s viewpoints and raise their status through education, awareness, literacy and training.
Sirajudin Sheikh (Music Teacher) presented songs on gender equality.
Dr BushraAbbasi (History Teacher) conducted the programme and talked about the ‘Stree Manoraksha Project’ of the Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with NIMHANS, Bengaluru.
Nudrat Aquil extended the vote of thanks.
A special assembly session on ‘Women and their Contribution in Various Fields and the Importance of Women in Professional and Personal Life’ was held at the AMU City Girls School to mark the occasion.
Dr MD Alamgir (Principal) and Md Javed Akhtar (Vice Principal) spoke about achievements of women in various spheres of knowledge.
School teachers, Salma Nadeem and Urooja Khan, Huma Siddiqui, Asmita Chaudhary, Samar Zahid, Tehmina Ashraf and Farzana Nazeer spoke on a myriad of topics related to women empowerment.