Awantipora, Mar 8: Islamic University of Science & Technology (IUST) celebrated International Women’s Day under the themes “Gender Equity’ and “Gender equality for sustainable tomorrow” and celebrations were held at both its Awantipora and Charari Sharief campuses. The event comprised of many activities and seminars which were attended by number of academicians, students, and social activists.
At IUST, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, who was the Chief Guest while addressing the gathering, deliberated upon the issue of unavailability of data to access the gender equality situation in J&K. He said that none of the sustainable development goals identified by UN are achievable unless we achieve the goal of gender equality. He also stressed the need to work on strategies to ensure the women enrolment in education translates into equal number in workforce.
Prof Manzoor Ahmad Malik, Dean Academic Affairs raised the issue of huge number of women toppers in academics not translating into corresponding to the numbers in the workforce. He sensitized the women students to avail the benefits of different policies developed by the government for women scientists.
Registrar IUST Prof Naseer Iqbal, while appreciating the selection of the theme, ‘Gender Equity’ ensured fair treatment of all the women staff and students in the university. He also said that we already see lot of improvement in the situation in urban areas and but there is still a need to work in far flung areas.
Ms. Mantasha Binti Rashid, KAS who was the Guest of Honour for the occasion underscored the need to unlearn old ideologies leading to gender inequality and learn new things to make a change. She encouraged female students to avail different government and other schemes to fund their education and research and threw light on legal provisions for different discriminatory practices.
Chairperson Averros Centre of Philosophy IUST, Prof Lily Want, while drawing the attention of the gathering to patriarchy—the root cause of gender inequality stressed on fighting it through women education, breaking gender stereotyping, financial empowerment and access to choices.
At IUST’s Alamdar College of Nursing and Medical Technology, Charari Sharief, Principal AMCON & MT and organizing chairperson of the program Prof. (Dr) Mehmooda Regu, discussed the importance of gender equality for sustainable future. She talked about the various opportunities as well as constraints faced by female folk and highlighted the need to empower women to have a voice and be equal players in decision making on climate change.
Dr. Majid Andrabi, renowned scholar and professor of Arabic Language and Literature also discussed the theme in light of Islam at Awantipora event. Earlier, Sr. Asst Prof Centre for International Relations IUST Ms. Shazana Andrabi introduced the theme and sensitized the gathering regarding the need to understand and work towards gender equity. The event was organised by Dean of Students Dr. Anisa Jan and DoS office.
Ms Rohi Jan Tutor of AMCON & MT was Organizing Secretary of the event at Alamdar. At IUST the Vote of thanks was proposed by Sr. Asst Prof Department of Arabic Language and Literature IUST Dr. Irfani Rahim. The events had active involvement of students throughout the planning and execution of the programmes.
