International Women’s Day was observed at various departments and schools of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
ALIGARH : International Women’s Day was observed at various departments and schools of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) with enthusiasm and commitment on the part of faculty members and students who participated in several programmes held to mark the occasion.
The AMU Women’s Club organized a fete with around 40 stalls of apparel, artwork, handicrafts, calligraphy, paintings, jewelry, home decor furnishings and books.
Prof Naima Khatoon, Principal, Women’s College and Patron of the Club, inaugurated the exhibition.
The club also organized an auction of original art pieces donated by JNMC students with the objective of fundraising for the educational and social uplift of young girls and women. The idea behind organizing this fete was to promote women entrepreneurs and support start-ups.
At the Department of Community Medicine, the day was celebrated at the Rural Health Training Centre, Jawan, under the theme ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress’. Dr Sharad Bansal explained the theme, while Dr Afeefa Shakaib and Dr Shubham Upadhyay (JR-2) jointly presented a talk on gender equality. Dr. Ameer Ayyub elaborated on the various roles women play in the development of society.
Dr. Chandramouli Mitra conducted an interactive session, judged by Dr Shivangi Kumari, Dr Danish Kamal and Dr Althaf Assis.
A fun activity followed the event which concluded with a gift distribution ceremony.
The Department of Periodontia and Community Dentistry, Dr Ziauddin Ahmad Dental College, marked the day by organizing several oral health awareness programmes.
A poster-making competition, judged by Prof. Badar Jahan (Department of Fine Arts) and Prof. Salma Ahmad (Department of Business Administration) focused the theme, “Women and Periodontal Health”, in which Mavrah Fatma, Dr Nancy Budakoti and Hiba Shamim from amongst the undergraduate and postgraduate participants, secured the first, second and third prize respectively.
The Indian Society of Periodontology, while supporting collaborative efforts to promote oral health awareness, awarded the winners with certificates.
The Department of Niswan wa Qabalat, Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College (AKTC) organized two health camps observing the day, in collaboration with the Dawakhana Tibbiya College.
Prof. Salma Ahmed, MIC, Dawakhana Tibbiya College inaugurated the first camp at the OPD number 4 of AKTC, in the presence of Prof. Ubaidullah Khan, Dean, Faculty of Unani Medicine, Prof. B.D. Khan, Principal, AKTC, and Prof. Suboohi Mustafa, Chairperson, Department of Niswan wa Qabalat.
About 160 patients were provided consultation for gynaecological issues like PCOD, leucorrhea, STD, Menstrual disorders, PID, anaemia and antenatal check-ups. Multivitamins, calcium, and iron capsules were distributed, along with blood check-ups free of cost.
The second health camp was organized at Nai Abadi in Hussainabad locality, Aligarh in collaboration with Dawakhana Tibbiya College and Soch NGO. Prof. Ubaidullah Khan inaugurated the camp.
Prof. Salma Ahmed emphasized the importance of community healthcare initiatives in the form of such health camps. More than 220 patients visited the camp and received free health services.
Dr Fahmeeda Zeenat coordinated the camps along with a dedicated team of doctors, postgraduate students and interns.
At the Department of Home Science, a three-day programme marked the day with a host of events that took place to raise awareness, promote empowerment, and celebrate the achievements of women entrepreneurs.
The programmes included a community education programme through a skit in nearby LIG Colony with female stakeholders and home-based entrepreneurs, emphasizing the significance of clean surroundings and menstrual hygiene in maintaining good health; Nutri-food cooking for different age groups and slogan writing on women empowerment; and a cooking programme on “Change in the raw materials for nutri-cooking: A sustainable approach” and a group discussion on “Women as change leaders for sustainable development”.
Dr. Saba Khan emphasized the need to address systemic barriers to women’s participation and leadership in sustainability efforts. Dr. Zeba, Dr. Maryam Fatima and Dr. Iram highlighted the significant but often unrecognized contributions of women to sustainable development.