International women’s day observed at AMU
ALIGARH : International Women’s Day was observed at various departments of the Aligarh Muslim University with a motto to spread awareness for the safeguarding of women’s rights and make a congenial environment to empower them in all respect.
The Centre of Continuing and Adult Education and Extension (CCAEE) organized a panel discussion on Women’s Empowerment on March 8. In her presidential remarks, Prof Naima Khatoon Gulrez, Principal, Women’s College raised the issue of reservation for women in the Indian parliament, and said that there needs to be a strong political will to enact a relevant law.
Prof. Mohammad Gulrez, Pro-Vice Chancellor summarized the main takeaways from the discussion, while Prof Asfar Ali Khan (Director, Directorate of Schools) said that boys are always given priority in education and this situation is grim among the marginalized section of society. We need to change this attitude and work for the eradication of illiteracy through sensitization programmes and proper educational facilities for all, he added.
Prof Asim Siddiqui (Chairperson, Department of English) said educational institutions should pay more attention to facilitating female students’ participation in sports, whereas Prof Asiya Choudhary (Department of Commerce) highlighted the entrepreneurship training programme being run for women. Prof Feza T Azmi (Department of Business Administration) emphasized the significance of financial literacy as an important component of adult education.
Prof. Samina Khan (Department of English) said volunteerism is important as big revolutions do not occur through parliamentary acts but through volunteerism. Prof. Saira Mehnaz (Department of Community Medicine) remarked that discrimination between males and females starts from an early stage, and continues throughout life. She said that nutritional equality must be ensured from an early stage both for girls and boys.
Prof. Aysha Munira Rasheed (Deputy Director, CCAEE) welcomed the guests and conducted the programme.
At the Department of Home Science, the faculty members and students participated in a group discussion on “Role of Women in Embracing Equity – A Woman’s Perspective”.
Addressing the occasion, Chairperson, Dr Saba Khan stressed the need and importance of responsibilities of childbearing and nurturing by women. She urged people to shun ego and rigidness and help promote the safeguarding of women’s rights and their empowerment.
To mark the day, the Department of Amraz-e-Niswan-Wa-Atfal, A.K. Tibbiya College organized a free health camp on the theme, “Women’s Health and Reproductive Care”, which was inaugurated by the Principal, AKTC, Prof Badrudduja Khan. A good number of patients from the marginalized section attended the camp and received free medicine.
Chairperson of the department, Prof Syeda Aamena Naaz said that a poster presentation event emphasizing gender equality and the need for Unani treatment in gynaecological disorders was also organized on the occasion. PG students and interns participated in the poster making event.