Symposium on Working Women Issues
Aligarh: “Higher representation of women in employment is a significant indicator of the nation’s overall progress. Without the active participation of women in family, society and organization, national progress cannot be guaranteed”.
Said Professor Zaheeruddin (Pro-Vice Chancellor, Aligarh Muslim University), while addressing the online Symposium entitled “Working Women Issues in Delhi NCR”, organised by the Department of Psychology, AMU, under the project “Perceived Mental Health Problems, Organisational Climate and Job Satisfaction among Working Women: A Psychological study of Working Women in Delhi NCR”, sanctioned by the ICSSR (Impress), Govt. of India, New Delhi.
Professor Roomana N Siddiqui, Chairperson, Department of Psychology welcomed the guests, eminent speakers and participants of the symposium.
Dr S M Khan, Associate Professor & Project Director briefed about the theme of the Symposium and introduced distinguished speakers.
Professor Rekha Pande (Hyderabad Central University, Hyderabad) said; “There is a constant decline in women’s active participation in the workplace despite the fact that 80% female excels in exams, but they cannot enter the mainstream occupations”.
Highlighting the decline of participation of women at work in Delhi NCR, Professor Ipshita Bansal, (Department of Management Studies, Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyala, Sonipat) said this is in contrast to the working population in Delhi NCR which is increasing rapidly. She also highlighted that the workplace doesn?t consider the work of women at home, whereas home doesn’t consider the work at the workplace. She emphasised: “They are always at work, and there is no ‘ME TIME’ for women”.
Dr Darshinta Ahluwalia, IRPS and ADRM (SEC Railway) pinpointed sexual harassment as a concern. She said job satisfaction should come from the feeling of contribution and communication in the male dominant society. She also mentioned that physical activity and expressive therapies are needed to overcome mental health issues.
Mrs Stuti Kacker, IAS as panellist commented that since childhood girls face a lot of mental health issues in the face of abuse mainly by relatives and just because of family prestige they are forced to get married which eventually affects the overall development and growth. She stressed that women should stand up for self rather than wait for someone else to rescue them.
Mrs Ashima Singh, IRTS as panellist discussed Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as there are three types of women who go out of their house to earn their livelihood ? some work for bread, some for butter and third type for self-actualization to prove their worth.
Mrs Vimla Mehra, IPS as panellist mentioned that women face a lot of problems but don?t come out with it. She said 50- 60% women suffer silently. “This should be the responsibility of the family to check out as 70% of these crimes originate from home”, she said. She advocated for a 24 hour helpdesk and training for women as positive measures for them.
Professor Nisar A Khan, (Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences) extended the vote of thanks and congratulated the organisers for inviting women speakers/panellists from diverse backgrounds to speak on working women issues.
Dr Faiza Abbasi, Assistant Professor, UGC HRDC conducted the proceedings.