To commemorate the International Women’s Day, celebrated on 8th of March every year, an impressive function was organized by District Administration Srinagar here in the Auditorium of SP College under the theme ‘Embrace Equity’.
The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri was the Chief Guest on the occasion, while Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad attended the function as Guest of Honour.
During the function various mesmerising programmes related to women empowerment were presented, besides women achievers of Srinagar were also felicitated by the District Administration.
In his presidential address, Divisional Commissioner, highlighted the achievements of women in diverse fields of life. He also referred to various schemes of the Government launched for the welfare of women, especially those from underprivileged sections of the society.
The Div Com complimented the District Administration Srinagar, S.P College and Social Welfare Department for collaborating to celebrate the International Women’s Day.
The Div Com called one and all to contribute in women empowerment for overall prosperity of the society. Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, congratulated female faculty members and other female Staff members working in S.P College for being part of the change in J&K’s Higher Education Scenario.
The DC said even decades have passed since Lal Ded and Habab Khatoon were born in Kashmir, people of the valley have always given due respect to female folk.
He expressed his happiness over learning that 40 percent of faculty members of SP College are Women folk. With regard to some unfortunate incidents which happened in the recent past in Srinagar, the DC lauded the courage of female students who took to social media to raise their voice.
He also urged all stakeholders, particularly parents, to lay stress on inculcating moral values among their children so that such shocking incidents do not happen in future.
The DC also urged all participants to support the movement for gender equality and women's empowerment by advocating for policies, supporting women's businesses and mentoring and educating, challenging gender norms, and speaking out against violence to help the women in distress.
The DC encouraged female students to stand up against social evils like eve-teasing and domestic violence etc. He stressed that Technology provides a platform for women to raise their voices, share their experiences, advocate for their rights, and connect with like-minded women and at the same time lodge the complaints, if any, with the Administration or other concerned authorities.
The DC also make a mention of various initiatives towards women emancipation ensuring their complete safety and protection and implementation of Mahila Shakti Kendra and One Stop Centres.
Principal S P College Prof (Dr) Khursheed Ahamd Khan welcomed the dignitaries and guests, and also highlighted the achievement of the College. He said the college having 117 years of glorious history started with a zero percentage of females to grow up to 45 percent women staff members and 40 percent female students today.
He said this journey towards women’s empowerment in the college will continue. The Principal also congratulated the College Women’s Development Cell for successfully conducting the programme.
Dr Shabana Aslam, Assistant Professor Botany, S. P. College, moderated the programme and introduced the theme of the International Women’s Day. The programme started with playing of college Tarana and recitation of poetry on women’s theme by a 5th semester student, Urfi Yousuf.
Earlier, District Social Welfare Officer Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed delivered the keynote address wherein he highlighted the importance of the International Women’s Day and deliberated upon the theme ‘Embrace Equity’.
This was followed by an impressive talk by Dr Syed Misbah Andrabi, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, on “Empowering women Doesn’t Mean Disempowering Men”.
Dr Nadia Shah, Assistant Professor at the Department of English, also gave a talk on ‘Contribution and Role of Women in Higher Education.’ The event also saw a talk by a young entrepreneur Ms Shahala Ali on ‘Entrepreneurship and Women in Kashmir.’
Later, during a felicitation ceremony women achievers were felicitated for their outstanding contributions in different walks of life. These included Nusrat Yousuf (Health), Dr Masooma Rizvi (Health), Noor-ul-Haya (Sports), Sadia Tariq (Sports), Tabassum Zargar (outreach programmes), Nighat Nazir (outreach programmes), Shahala Ali Sheikh (entrepreneurship), Tawheeda Akhter (entrepreneurship), Ms Mehvish Fayaz (Education Achiever), Dr Tabassum Ismail, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, (for outstanding performance as a teacher and researcher), Tammana Majeed (5th semester student of AAAMC, Bemina), Nasika (5th semester student from Govt College for Women, M A Road), Suman Lone (5th semester student from A S College), Adeeba Rouf, (NSS Volunteer from S.P. College, Srinagar), Sehar Nazir (for her courage to brave all odds and continue her studies even after being a victim of acid attack) and Renu Akhter, (Specially abled person).
Besides, District Programme Officer, ICDS, Zeenat Ara and District Mission Coordinator, DHEW, Ruqaya Ashraf were also felicitated for exemplary services and best performance in the District.
At the end of the programme, Prof Javeria Khurshid from the Department of English proposed a formal vote of thanks. A Cultural Song by Manzoor Shah and his team enthralled the audience.