KMV holds ICSSR sponsored National Seminar on Women Participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions

Jalandhar, March 01, 2025: Kanya Maha Vidyalaya (Autonomous) in a series of events organised to mark the celebrations of International Women’s Day organised a National Seminar sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), North-Western Regional Centre on Emerging Trends of Women Participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India and Role of Media. 

The seminar was organised jointly by  Department of Political Science and PG Department of Journalism & Mass Communication. The Chief Guest Neelam Mahay (PCS), Deputy Director, Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training, Jalandhar and the distinguished guests were accorded green greetings on this occasion. 

Welcoming the Chief Guest and eminent dignitaries, Principal Prof. (Dr.) Atima Sharma Dwivedi acquainted the august gathering that the primary objective of the seminar is to deliberate on the recent trends of Women Participation in the politics at the grass root level by providing a platform for discussing potential policies and strategies that could strengthen women's participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions, with media being a key driver of change and governance. She further added that KMV has always been at the forefront in championing the cause of women empowerment with primary focus on developing leadership and employability skills through various value-added courses blended as integral component in its progressive education. 

Expressing her views, the Chief Guest Neelam Mahay, an alumna of KMV stated that though social transformation is never a radical process, rather gradual but political participation of women in the form of contesting elections is definitely a positive indicator to underline patriarchal social structures having been challenged. She was also very much appreciative of the efforts and initiatives undertaken by KMV in empowering and educating women since its inception. 

The Key-note speaker Dr. Ameer Sultana, Associate Professor, Department cum Centre for Women’s Studies & Development, Panjab University, Chandigarh expressed her views, while focussing on the socio-economic and political dimensions of this subject under discussion, that the recent trends in women’s participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions in Punjab have witnessed tremendous increase, especially after 73rd and 74th amendment in Indian Constitution. Quoting the example of The President of India who was associated  with Panchayati Raj in her formative years, she elucidated that such participation needs to be promoted further at mass level. 

In his Presidential remarks, Dr. Satnam Singh Deol, Associate Professor & Head, Dept. of Political Science, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, explored meaning, causes, various challenges and barriers faced by women in contesting elections, decision making, and effective governance within the PRIs. Dr. Satnam Singh paid a glorious tribute to the founding figures of KMV who envisioned women empowerment and established this institution as a nerve centre of social change and skilling them for Economic Autonomy that is the only way to political Empowerment. He expounded that Media today as a potent tool can contribute effectively and be a significant driver by generating more awareness about women as autonomous authority with ability to command and contribute substantially to social transformation. 

While delivering his valedictory address, Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh, Head, Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication, IKG Punjab Technical University, Kapurthala, examined the role of traditional and digital media in shaping the narrative around women’s participation in PRIs. He enumerated various ways and strategies through with which media can play a constructive role in encouraging more women to politics. In two technical sessions, research scholars from various colleges and universities presented their papers on the different aspects of the key topics ranging from Evolution of PRIs and women's representation since the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, Socio- economic Barriers and Opportunities for Women Representatives in PRIs, Impact of Government Initiatives and Policies on participation of Women in governance, Emerging Challenges for Women in male dominated political spaces, Role of Media in promoting sustained participation of women etc. The delegated were also provided with the certificates during the valedictory session. 

The formal vote of thanks was accorded by Dr. Iqbal Singh and Sehajpal Singh to all dignitaries and delegates for their stimulating insights and engaging exchange of thoughts to make this national seminar a successful venture. 
Principal lauded the efforts of Dr. Madhumeet, Dean, Department of Journalism & Mass Communication and Ashima Sahni, Head, Department of Political Science for successfully organising the seminar.