Pondicherry University organized Observance of Prevention of Discrimination against Women Pakhwada in Pondicherry University.

Prof.MalabikaDeo, Chairperson, Sexual Harassment Prevention Committee and Dean, School of Management, Pondicherry University formally welcomed the gathering. In her speech she spoke about gender stereotyping and the need to sensitize people to prevent discrimination against women and girls. She added that rights are given but the society creates a threat and indeed discriminates when a woman wants to enter newer fields. 

 

Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof.Gurmeet Singh, delivered the Presidential address in which he expressed about the unhappy situations at household and the still continuing gender disparity. Prof.Singh emphasized on the need to respect and treat the women at home with esteem and he also expressed how the menace of dowry still exists despite the laws to punish this evil. He urged the younger generations to take a pledge against the practice of dowry. Prof Singh appreciated the organizers and said that such workshops and panel discussions remind us that we are still in a grim situation.

 

The Chief Guest Dr. VidyaRamkumar, Chairperson, Dowry Prohibition Advisory Board, Govt. of Puducherry delivered the inaugural address wherein she elaborated on the rise of harassments and violence against women and children during the pandemic and stated that the women and children were living like refugees in their own houses. She also reiterated the need to create awareness and to encourage women to voice out and complain any violations caused against them. Dr.Vidya appealed the participants to be the voice of the voiceless.

 

Ms.Lakshmi Student Representative-SHPC gave away the vote of thanks.

 

The Inaugural session was followed by Sensitisation workshop on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 by Dr.Gurminder Kaur, Assistant Professor, School of Law, Pondicherry University wherein she highlighted the significant provisions and the challenges of the act.

 

This was followed by a Panel discussion on Elimination of Violence against Women. The Panel experts were Mrs.Sithara Nair Gerdes - External Member, SHPC-PU; Dr.VidyaaRamkumar, Chairperson, Dowry Prohibition Advisory Board, Govt. of Puducherry; Mr.N. Sandosh, Sub Inspector of Police - Cyber Crime Cell, Puducherry; Prof. R. Nalini, Department of Social Work and Dr.ThanujaMummidi, Centre Head (i/c) at the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Pondicherry University.

 

Streetplays were also organized by the School of Performing Arts to spread the message and prevent violence against women & girls.

 

The organizers had circulated posters to highlight on ways to end violence against women which were distributed and affixed in all departments of the University and different sections of the administration with the view to spread and disseminate the message. The event was organized by Sexual Harassment Prevention Committee, Pondicherry University.

 

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