GANDERBAL: Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir has called for stronger and more inclusive movement towards gender equality in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Gender equality is need of the hour. There should be no disparity in the upbringing of a boy and the girl in a family. Men and women should be treated equals in societal setup and at workplaces,” Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir said while addressing the participants during a seminar “I Am Generation Equality-Realising Women’s Rights,” organised by the Women Empowerment Committee (WEC) of the varsity. The Vice-Chancellor said the girls are doing much better than boys in almost all the examinations conducted by Board of School Education and at university level. “In almost all the examinations including NET and research, the girls are securing top positions and are excelling in the field of academics,” he said, adding that after completing their degrees, the girls are proving their mettle in their respective fields and have risen to higher positions.
Earlier, while speaking on the occasion, Registrar, Prof. Fayaz A Nikka said, the women should believe in themselves and strive hard for carving a niche in their respective fields. Highlighting the importance of women in building a healthy society, Prof. Nikka said that there is a lot that is still to be done for women empowerment. “It’s high time that women must realize their rights, but at the same time they should also understand their duties,” CUK Registrar added.
Women Empowerment Committee (WEC) Chairperson, Prof. Parveen Pandit, while addressing the gathering highlighted the aim and objective of holding the seminar. She said that women are treading new paths to achieve socio-political and economic empowerment. “We all should not only appreciate their endeavours, but also help them in achieving equality in real sense of the term,” she added.
Later a round table discussion was held on ‘Women Empowerment in Kashmir’ with panellists chaired by Prof. Roma Wani, former member, Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) and Co-chaired by Prof. M. Afzal Zargar, Dean School of Animal Sciences, CUK, Prof. Nighat Basu, Department of Education, Prof. Tabassun Firdous, Coordinator, Women’s Studies & Research Centre, Kashmir University, Muslim Jan, Dr. Nyla Khanday, In-charge, Centre for Women Entrepreneurship, Dr. Roshan Ara, Research Associate, Centre for Women’s Studies and Research Centre, Afrooza, BDO, Narbal Rural Development, Government of J&K. All these speakers talked on essence of women power, gender equality and opportunities for women stating that women today have got equal potential provided they are trusted and valued.
The discussion was followed by skits performed by students of various departments. The event ended with the distribution of prizes by Prof. Mehraj-ud-Din Mir.