Rachel Mathew, Dr Ruhi Bakhare and Prof Pallavi Sangode
Nagpur: The Women Empowerment Cell of Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Management Studies & Research recently organized a programme tittled “AABHA”. The Women Empowerment Cell of Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Management Studies & Research plays a significant role in Mobilizing women’s views and perspectives on important social issues, Questioning the existing biased and stereotypical notions & concepts those deny identity and respectable space for women, promoting gender consciousness into all systems of knowledge in order to progress towards a true gender sensitive society and Eliminating cultures of impunity, silence and complicity leading towards real empowerment. The women empowerment cell works in the direction to empower girl students, to enhance understanding of issues related to women and to make the college campus a safe place for women students. With a view to taking up women’s issues and problems, the cell aims at creating awareness of their rights and duties. It also provides a platform for women to share their experiences and views regarding their status in the society and to suggest ways to improve and empower themselves. Aiming at intellectual and social up-liftment of the female students, the cell stands for facilitating women’s empowerment.
In this occasion the students and faculty members of the institute got an opportunity to listen to the experiences and views of eminent women from various walks of life who have already established themselves in domains which are male dominated even today. The participants also interacted with these eminent personalities in length and were enriched by their guidance.
The first speaker on this occasion was Director of Mathew’s English communication skill & soft skill Academy Rachel Mathew. The academy which has been serving the society since last 20 years catering to various colleges, schools, institutions & professionals. She is trained in Mind Power & NLP.
While addressing the gathering Rachel Mathew said empowering women in India is very necessary to bring gender equality or we can say that gender equality is very necessary to empower women. It is very necessary for all Indian men to understand the power of women and let them go ahead to make themselves independent. Gender equality is the first step to bring women empowerment in India. Men should understand that women are made only to handle household chores or take responsibility of home and family. Instead, both (men and women) are responsible for everything of daily routine. Men too need to understand their responsibility towards home and family and all other works women do so that women can get some time to think about themselves and their career.
There are so many laws for empowering women however none are effective and followed by people. There should be some effective and tight laws which can be followed by everyone. It is not the responsibility of our government; it is the responsibility of each and every Indian. Every Indian need to change their mind set towards women and strictly follows all the rules made for women empowerment.
The second speaker for the day was a Consulting Psychologist based in Nagpur Rita Aggarwa. She is the director of a private enterprise named ‘MANODAYA’, The Psychology Clinic – Centre for Psychological Enhancement. She is a well known for her pioneering efforts in the practice of psychology in Central India. Her work includes counseling, psychotherapy and psychometric testing and assessments. She is also a seasoned human resource trainer and conducts workshops for self-growth and development.
Reeta Bansod, Kranti Aglave and Deepika Bangadkar
While interacting with the students she emphasized that Women empowerment is the key to strengthen their participation in the decision-making which is the most important key to socio-economic development. We should think about and need to discuss that how our cultural, traditional and social rules affect women leadership so that we all may break that. There is a social, cultural and home pressure on the women which acts as main issue to the gender equality. There is lots of pressure over women by the parents, society and they forced to be main caregiver and care taker of all family members. Such pressure in the society and home lowers down the career ambitions of women than men.
She further said that women leadership is restricted by the various social, cultural and political norms which need to be understood and addressed. She further added that we need to address all the social inequalities hindering women’s advancement in order to change women situation in the society as well as nation. She also encouraged the students to discuss this issue in their family and community to explore all the barriers restricting women advancement in order to enhance the women’s leadership in every area like men. Men too with women need to engage in all social and cultural norms to encourage combined participation as well as create equitable environment in home, office and community.
The co-ordinator of the programme Dr Ruhi Bakhare while interacting with the press said, “She believe, neither men nor women are the better halves of either but they are the other half of each other. We should make ourselves important enough to contribute positively and gainfully to the development of society. Make ourselves indispensable in every field.”
The programme was attended by around 155 students and faculties of the institute, a large section of the press, and many other eminent invitees.
