Central University of Kashmir WOMEN EMPOWERMENT COMMITTEE
Activities& Events Conducted-2020
The Central University of Kashmir has established Women Empowerment Committee (WEC) on 26th of August 2017to empower and emancipate the female faculty, staff and students and reach the community as per the guideline laid by the UGC. The Cell organised the following activities.
Roundtable and Brainstorming session (03rd March 2020)
The Women's Empowerment Committee organised a Roundtable and Brainstorming session on 'Women’s Empowerment' on 03 March 2020. Members of the Committee of 2017-19 and 2019-2020 attended the session on “Gender Equality- some issues” and the four groups were formed for the brain storming on the Challenges in the society related to women and came up with recommendations on the issues like sanitation, health and hygiene and awareness and motivation of rural women empowerment through start-ups.
Open-Mic Event (05th March 2020)
The 'Open-Mic Discussion' leading to the celebrations of the International Women's Day was organised in the Green Campus on 05 March 2020. The WEC and other faculty members participated in the programme by reaching the students male & female. The event attracted the participants across the departments with individual singing, poetry, group performances related to women empowerment. The programme was organised to encourage the students to talk about the gender related concerns and the problems faced by the female members in the society and also to break the silence in the light of stereotyping.
On- Campus Celebrations of International Women's Day- Competitions in all the 4 campuses of CUK(09th March 2020)
Four simultaneous seminars on the theme ‘Equality and Realising Women’s Rights, Challenges
& Opportunities’in four Campuses of the CUK held on 9th March 2020.The boys & girls participated in these events by giving oral presentation, paper presentation and reflected on the gender related issues by dramatization in various languages.
1. At Tulmullah campus the WEC campus coordinator- Ms. Gulafroz Jan, Department of Law, Central University of Kashmir coordinated the event on 9th of March, 2020 by organizing a seminar on the theme “Equality and Realising Women’s Rights-Each for Equal” in which the students from departments of Law, Convergent Journalism and IT participated presided over by Prof. Praveen Pandit. The event was divided into an inaugural session and technical session. In the inaugural session Ms. Gulafroz Jan delivered a talk in which she spoke about Women’s Day and elaborated on the theme for International Women’s Day 2020- “I am Generation Equality- Realizing Women’s Rights”. She shared the emerging global concern followed by an address from Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Najar, Director, Tulmulla Campus who emphasized on muslim women and their rights in Islam and concluding remarks were delivered by Dr. Anil Kumar, Assistant Professor, School of Legal Studies.
In the technical session 10 student speakers from the aforementioned departments spoke on the theme and put forth the various concerns relating to the issue in the opinions and suggested various measures for empowerment of women. At the end the students namely Mahnashit Uzma, Mehreen Altaf and Afshan Aftab Khan, were declared for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places respectively, who later represented the Tulmulla campus in the Main seminar held in the Green Campus on 12th of March 2020.
2. Programme at Science Campus, Nunar, Ganderbal was conducted by Dr. Ibrak Khurshid, WEC campus coordinator and Coordinator, Department of Zoology, CUK and cited inspiration from success stories of women. The School of Life Sciences collaborated with WEC in celebrating the International Women’s Day 2020 with a focus on the theme, “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights” on 9th of March 2020. For the event, Prof. Fayaz Ah. Nikka, Registrar of CUK and Prof. Parveen Pandit, Chairperson (WEC) and Prof. Mohammad Afzal Zargar, Dean of School of Life Sciences spoke about gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly their access to public services and sustainable infrastructure. Prof. Pandit specifically mentioned that it is time to uphold womens achievements, recognize challenges and focus greater attention on womens rights and gender equality to mobilize all people to do their best. Dr. Abid Hamid Dar Head, Department of Biotechnology participated in the event. Dr. Nowsheen (Assistant Professor, Biotechnology Dept.) concluded the first session which was followed by reflection on women issues & problems through Dramas, Plays and Musical demonstration.
3. The Arts Campus Women’s day celebrations were coordinated by WEC campus coordinator Dr. Nusrat Jabeen from Department of Urdu. The students from the Departments of English, Urdu and Comparative Religious Studies have participated in the programme. Dr. Nusrat Jabeen introduced the programme by deliveringg on the importance of celebrating Women’s Day every year. Prof.
Hamidullah Rafiabadi, Head, Department of Comparative Religious Studies, Prof Wali Mohammad Shah, Dean, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences gave the importance of Women’s Empowerment and the Prof. Parveen Pandit in her special remarks emphasised to commemorate the struggles and their empowerment in General the Kashmiri society in particular. The participants demonstrated high talent in the dramatic Performance of Cyndrela and some students recited poems on gender issues.
4. The programme in Green Campus, Ganderbal was co-ordinated by Dr. Himabindu, Member Secretary, WEC and Campus Coordinator, Ms. Saima Bashir, Department of Education, the Green Campus with students from Management and Commerce, Education Teacher Education, Politics & Governance, Economics showed much interest to participate in the competition. A paper presentation competition was conducted at Green Campus and the Judges for the Competition were Prof. Abdul Gani, Director, Research and Development and Prof. Nighat Basu from the Department of Education. The three best papers presented on the theme ‘Each for Equal’ were selected by the judges for the final programme. The WEC campus Coordinator, Ms. Saima Bashir, started the Session with introductory remarks by Dr.Himabindu and the special remarks on importance of celebrating International Women’s Day were given by Prof. Parveen Pandit and followed by the speech given by the Judges. After the paper presentations, a group of students from various departments presented a skit on ‘eve teasing’ in the open theatre with drum and music and the special invitees along the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Mehraj-Ud-Din Mir has graced the occassion. The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor gave a vivid picture of the women issues and implementation issues in the exercise of their rights. Prof. Parveen Pandit, made the gathering to pledge for the theme ‘Each for Equal’ with the international assigned pose and the session ended with vote of thanks by Dr. Himabindu.
One Day Seminar- celebrating International Women’s Day on 12th March 2020 at Green Campus
Women Empowerment Committees organised One-Day Seminar on 12thof March, 2020 on the theme“I am Generation Equality – Realizing Women Rights”. The objective of the seminar was to bring together people to drive action that will help in facilitating the creation of an equal world for all irrespective of gender difference. The session started with the welcome address by Dr. Himabindu, Member Secretary, WEC and special remarks were presented by Prof. Parveen Pandit, Chairperson, WEC and Prof. Fayaz A. Nika, Registrar CUK. In the second session the students from various campuses of CUK presented their papers who were declared the best 03 presentations in their respective campuses. It was followed by a round table discussion by the eminentwomen from diverse fields in Kashmir.A round table discussion on ‘Women Empowerment in Kashmir’ started with panellists chaired by Dr. Roma Wani, Former Member, Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) and Co- chaired by Prof M. Afzal Zargar, Dean, School of Life Sciences, CUK, Prof. Nighat Basu, Dept. of Education, CUK, Dr. Tabassun Firdous, Coordinator, Women’s Studies & Research Centre, Universityof Kashmir. Dr. Muslim Jhon, Media Coordinator, University of Kashmir, Dr. Nyla Khanday, In-charge, Centre for Women Entrepreneurship, Dr. Roshan Ara,Research Associate, Centre for Women’s Studies and Research Centre, University of Kashmir, Mrs. Afrooza (KAS), BDO, Narbal, Rural Development, Govt. of J&K(Daughter of the Soil-Ganderbal). The discussion was followed by the selected best dramas performed by thestudents of various campuses on 9thMarch 2020. The students critically demonstrated the literature (Cinderella) and practices (social taboos) through Plays & Dramas.The event was followed by valedictory session in which the report of the seminar was presented by Prof. Parveen Pandit and was followed by valedictory address by Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mehraj-ud-Din Mir. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor appreciated the efforts of WEC and enlightened about the rights of women and concerns of implementation of these rights in the society. The event ended with the prize distribution to the threebest student paper presentation & Play performances.
Steps for maintaining Women Health and Hygiene in 04 campuses of the University The University created the gender-friendly infrastructure being sensitive to the women issues on health, hygiene and mental well-being. The Women Empowerment Cell initiated the process of procurement and installation of Napkin Vending Machines for all the 04 campuses in February 2020andthe machines have been installed. The WEC further planned to have awareness workshops on health and hygiene in the educational institutions and the surrounding villages.
Gender Champions of the University
The male and female students of the University voluntarily became the Gender Champions and have been registered. These are as under-
GENDER CHAMPIONS
S.NO. NAME GENDER RESIDENCE CATEGORY
1 MUDASIR AHMAD MALE GANDERBAL GENERAL
2 RAMEEZ RAJA MALE BANDIPUR GENERAL
3 MAH NASHIT UZMA FEMALE HYDERPORA GENERAL
4 AAMIR RASHEED MALE HANDWARA OBC
5 NOWSHIBA MALIK FEMALE NAGBAL GENERAL
6 OWAIS MARGHOOB MALE LAL BAZAR GENERAL
7 AUQIB AHMAD SOFI MALE CHARAR-I-SHREIF GENERAL
8 MIFTA-UL-HUDA FEMALE PULWAMA GENERAL
9 MUHAMMED SHERIN MALE KERALA GENERAL
10 BISMA FAYAZ FEMALE PULWAMA GENERAL
11 SHAHZAD HUSSAIN MALE PULWAMA GENERAL
12 MEER OSHAIM FEMALE BEMINA GENERAL
13 HUMAIRA AMIN FEMALE KARAN NAGAR GENERAL
14 TOIBA MOHI-U-DIN FEMALE BUDSHAH NAGAR GENERAL
15 YASIR RASOOL BHAT MALE BANDIPORA GENERAL
16 SHOWKAT QADIR MALE PULWAMA GENERAL
17 QAZI SUHAIB MALE RAWALPORA GENERAL
18 JAVID AHMAD WANI MALE GANDERBAL EWS
19 SYED AHTISHAM UL HAQ MALE BUDGAM GENERAL
20 AALIYA HAMEED FEMALE BARAMULLAH GENERAL
21 IJLANA NAZIR FEMALE HYDERPORA GENERAL
22 MOHAMMAD KHURRAM MALE BATWARA GENERAL
23 MOHAMMAD TUYYAB MLIC MALE BARAMULLAH GENERAL
24 IMAN-ABDUL-MUIZZ MALE ANANTNAG GENERAL
25 RAHIL REYAZ MALE ANANTNAG GENERAL
26 MARYAM BASHIR NAIK FEMALE SOPORE GENERAL
27 AADIL RASHID BHAT MALE KULGAM GENERAL
28 NIGHAT MUBARAK FEMALE KULGAM GENERAL
29 SAIMA SHAFI FEMALE BARAMULLAH GENERAL
30 YAWAR MANZOOR MALE KULGAM GENERAL
31 SHAKIR HUSSAIN GANIE MALE KULGAM GENERAL
32 MEHROZE FEMALE Ranawari Srg GENERAL
33 NAZISH FAROOQ MIR FEMALE NOWPORA Srg. GENERAL
34 TABSUM GULL FEMALE BAGHATI - KANIPORA Srg. GENERAL
35 PARVEIZ YOUSUL MALE LALPORA PAMPORE GENERAL
36 ZEESHAN YAEEN MALE NOORBAHG KULGAM GENERAL
37 INSHA TOYBA JAN FEMALE NAMBLABAL PAMPORE GENERAL
38 RAIZ RASHID FEMALE PANDACH GANDERBAL GENERAL
39 ADEEBA FAROOQ FEMALE CHANAPORA Srg. GENERAL
40 SHAMS- UD-NAZIR MALE PULWAMA GENERAL
41 SHOWKET AHMAD FEMALE MODEL TOWN SOPORE GENERAL
One Day National Webinar on “Gender Bias & Stereotyping in the Society – Some Concerns” (22nd July 2020)
Women Empowerment Cell (WEC) organized a National Webinar on the theme ‘Gender Bias and Stereotyping in the Society- Some concerns’ on 22nd July 2020. The session started with the brief introduction about objectives of the WEC by Dr. Himabindu, Member Secretary WEC. Prof. Parveen Akhter Pandit, Chairperson, WEC welcomed all the guests formally and introduced the chief guest Smt. Rekha Sharma, Hon’ble Chairperson, National Commission for Women, New Delhi and made the participants aware about her contribution in the civil society and the positions she has held from time to time. She also welcomed the special guest Prof. Annpurna Nautiyal, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Hemawati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Uttarakhand and oriented the participants about her contribution towards development of country in general and women in particular. She also made the guests and participants aware about the contribution of Prof. Mehraj-Ud-Din Mir, Hon’ble Vice- Chancellor, CUK in different spheres of society. She thanked the Honourable Vice Chancellor for his support towards women related issues. She stressed that women despite comprisingthe 50%of the population have not been given their rightful place in the society, as a result they still continue to be the victim of violence. The acts of men are appreciated and exemplified worldwide but the roles played by women are still ignored. She believed the role expectation and role conflict is the main issue and women become the victims of gender disparities affecting the women empowerment. Prof Farooq Ahmad Shah I/c Registrar CUK while welcoming the guests and participants appreciated the efforts of WEC and said the gender bias has been historically found in all the realms of life and stressed that this is the high time we realize our responsibilities towards this direction.
The special address was delivered by Prof. Annpurna Nautiyal, the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna (HNB) Gharwal University, Utrakhand. She believed that women in the hilly areas being more vulnerable face the gendered division of labour, but actively participant in various spheres of life. She referred to the historic movementsstarted by women in her region (Uttarakhand) like chipko movement, no liquor; but still gender bias as a result of toxic masculinity coming from the society itself.
The Chief Guest of the Webinar Smt. Rekha Sharma, Hon’ble Chairperson, NCW, New Delhi in her inaugural address talked about the gender bias which starts before the birth of a child.. Women are not allowed even to make mistakes because the society in that case relates her to goddess, we need to allow women to work as normal human beings. In the society where we deprive girls of quality education change cannot be expected. She believed that even in religion women are always stigmatized. She stressed that the domestic violence cases are increasing with each passing day, societal pressure on women is adding fuel to it. Financial independence need to be given to women.
Societal rules push women to be victims of violence for life time. She stressed counseling can help when both men and women have open minds and both of them want to change. Girls should be allowed to exercise their freedom, especially when it comes to decision about their lives. Girls should be given freedom to take charge of their lives, and empowerdwhen she is capable and free enough to decide for herself. Discrimination in the society needs to end. Moral policing and pressure by the society needs to stop, women need to hold hand of other women. They need to facilitate things for each other. In this context she said that the focus of NCW besides the complaints is on creating women as job creators and not just job seekers.
Prof. Mehraj-Ud-Din Mir the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, CUK in his presidential address thanked the guests for accepting the invitation. He appreciated the guests for raising the relevant issues and
stressed that we need to seriously ponder on these issues. He made the audience aware about the positions and roles women are shouldering at CUK. He stressed that the mindset and teaching from the home need to be emphasized. He stressed that the discrimination starts from family and thus the mothers need to be oriented first. In present circumstances various cases of domestic violence and honour killings have surfaced and the root cause is mostly the broken families
Dr. Sakina Akhtar, Member WEC, CUK presented the vote of thanks.
Session – II:
Prof. Vindhya Undurti, Deputy Director, Tata Institute of Social Sciences delivered keynote address during this Technical Session, held on Wednesday, the 22nd July 2020 at 12:00 noon through Zoom Cloud Meet. The session was chaired by Prof. Parveen Akhter Pandit. Ms. Saima Bashir, was moderator of the session and Dr. Ibraq Khurshid acted as rapporteur.
A thought provoking lecture was delivered by the learned speaker on the topic, “Attitudinal Biases and Myths in Gender-based violence against women”.
Session-III- Panel Discussion Chair- Prof. Parveen Pandit
Panellists- Prof. Nighat Basu, DE, CUK
Prof. Nasrin, DE, Aligarh Muslim University
Prof. Yasmeen Ashai, Principal, College for Women, M.A.Road, SRN Prof. Seema Naaz, Principal, Degree College, Pampore
Prof. Gurmeet Kaur, Coordinator, WSC, IASE, SRN
Prof. Tabassum Firdous, Coordinator, WSRC, University of Kashmir Prof. Muslim Jan, Coordinator, WSC, University of Kashmir
Dr. Abhiruchi Ojha, Assistant Professor, DPG, CUK Moderator- Dr. Himabindu M, Member Secretary, WEC, CUK
Prof. Parveen Pandit, the Chair of the Session welcomed all the Panelists with a word of Gratitude for accepting the invitation and for being part of the panel discussion in the webinar.
Prof. Seema Naaz explained how the gender Bias is deep rooted in our community and society, and it is at the level of family that every individual should be working to stop or change the scenario.
Prof. Nighat Basu shared her views about how the gender bias starts from the school level itself. The children, who are facing the difficulties in the schools, would accept it as part of the lifestyle and carried away with the problems further. In order to break the chain, the solution lies with the education, at all levels.
Prof. Nasrin from AMU discussed about the gender stereotyping starting at home from a very tender age like the toys they bring for the girls and boys restricting their capabilities.
Prof. Yasmeen Ashai shared her views on the appropriation of different Genders and raised concerns about the problem with the word empowerment itself.
Prof. Tabassum Firdous detailed about understanding the gender and the structure of Feminism in a right context.
Prof. Gurmeet Kaur shared her views on the social construction of the stereotyping that restricts the innovation of the new structure by the girls or in that way any human beings
Prof. Muslim Jan opined about the gender bias from stigma about gender bias and social conditions. In the present circumstances everyone are aware of the gaps in gender and to overcome it is high time not to just highlight the problems but come up with the suggestions and necessary actions.
Dr. Abhiruchi Ojha shared her long experience in gender studies discussed about the gendered assumptions and biases and all together to overcome them. The assumptions that women related issues are to be dealt by the women and particularly in the lock room talk. The session concluded with the remarks of the chair on the consensus that the gender stereotyping needs to end and proper orientation needs to be developed among the masses. They were of the opinion that we need to work on eradicating the gender stereotyping otherwise it can have adverse consequences. Stereotyping limits the capabilities of women, thus all the men and women have to come forward and appreciate each other with love and respect. We need to assign roles as per capabilities and not according to the gender. We collectively need to make a world a nice place to live in. Objectification of women is an issue as women is treated as commodities; the mind-set needs to be changed. They stressed that student welfare measure needs to be taken by making necessary changes in the curricula from time to time. They believed that our education system should not focus on cramming, but should stress on culture of voice and change where women can decide for themselves. The panel discussion was followed by the question answer session whereby the participants raised their queries and the panellists very actively answered all the questions.
