Seminar on women participation in decision making 

Chandigarh: ‘The presence of women in the key positions of Government will contribute immensely in nation building’ said Ms. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, National Commission for Women (NCW), New Delhi while speaking at a seminar on ‘Women’s  Participation in Decision Making’ organized by Panjab University, Chandigarh in collaboration with the NCW, here today.

Women can be empowered by education, which will give them confidence in taking decisions, she added. While starting her address on a positive note, she cited examples which included a great parliamentarian and orator Ms. Sushma Swaraj, who as External Affairs Minister changed the whole scenario with her quick decisions. She also appreciated Dr. Kiran Bedi, Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, for her commendable work on Jail reforms. The NCW Chairperson urged the women to become independent and not dependent on their male colleagues. They should come forward to put their view point at every step which will further help in bringing the change in society towards women, she added.     

Shri Satya Pal Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India in his keynote address spoke on ‘Understanding the Issues and Challenges for Women in Decision Making’ and stressed on elimination of women exploitation. He said that awareness for women empowerment at all levels is the need of the hour. Women participation will overall make a better society, he added.  He urged women to stand for their rights. He opined that women should not be divided on the basis of casteism. 

Sh. Gian Chand Gupta, Speaker, Haryana Legislative Assembly, focussed on women empowerment and women leadership. He informed that for the growth of nation, 50% women population of the country cannot be ignored. He informed that the State of Haryana has 31 new Colleges in order to enhance education for girls of every strata. 

Prof. Pam Rajput, Professor Emeritus, coordinator of the event stressed on the indispensable role women play in entrepreneurship.  She informed that in order to assess the challenges to practical implementation of policy measures to empower women as decision makers and to assess the way forward, it is essential to develop holistic and comprehensive policy to elevate the status of women in society. 

Prof. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh earlier in his address while appreciating the potential of PU teachers, informed that maximum Chairpersons in PU are women and even the female students studying in PU are around 75% of the total strength. He informed about the Mobile Legal Aid Van which will be extended for the legal literacy and sensitization programme in the city as well as rural and remote areas around the city. He appreciated the assurance from NCW in this regard.

The second session was concerned with the ‘Role of Financial Inclusion in Enabling Decision Making by Women’. The co-ordinator for this session was Smt. Meenakshi Gupta. The panellists for this session were, Smt. Meenakshi Gupta, Deputy CAG, who discussed the reasons for the financial issues faced by women in decision making, Dr. H. Srinivas, DG, V.V. Giri National Labour Institute, who spoke about women entrepreneurs in rural areas,and Smt. Revathi Roy, CEO, Heydeedee who related her own experiences as a woman entrepreneur and discussed the need for women to be financially independent. This was followed by an Open House Discussion. 

The third and final session took up the discussion of ‘Sexual and Reproductive Health and Decision Making: Present Policy Framework and Challenges’. The panellists for this session were Prof. Pam Rajput, Emeritus Deptt. Cum Centre for Women’s Studies and Development Panjab University, Chandigarh, who kicked off the session and spoke about women and their right over their body and sexual health, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Asst. Director Deptt. of Health and Family Welfare Punjab, Sh. A. Asholi Chalai, Joint Secretary, NCW, and Ms. Nanthini Subbiah, Asst. Prof, Deptt. of Community Health and Advisory, NIH&FW. This was followed by another round of Open House Discussion. The event was brought to a close with a vote of thanks by Sh. A. Asholi Chalai.

Those present at the Seminar included Prof. Shankarji Jha, Dean University Instructions, Prof. R.K. Singla, Dean Research, Prof. Emanual Nahar, Dean Student Welfare, Prof. Neena Capalash(DSW-W), Prof. Ashwani Kaul, Chief of University Security, Representatives from States Commission from Women from the States of Haryana, Punjab & Himachal, senior PU officials, staff and students.