In celebration of International Women’s Day, Women’s Grievances and Redressal Cell (WGRC), SRM Institute of Science & Technology, Ramapuram Chennai is organizing a lecture series titled “Reaching Beyond the Limits: Voices of the Other” from 2nd to 7th of March 2024.
Day – 1
Date: 02.03.2024
Time: 2.30 PM IST
Resource person:
Dr. J Vasantha Kumari
Gender & POSH Expert
Chennai, Tamilnadu
Topic : Empowering Safe Workplace: A deep dive into the POSH Act 2023
Dr. J Vasantha Kumari started the session with the small introduction to Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH). She extended the talk with different types of sexual harassment of women at working place, gender equality and safety of girls, child abuse and zero tolerance. She also elaborated five broad categories of sexual harassment.
She concluded the session with the requirement of mental and physical health for women.
More than 100 female faculty members, researchers, and students participated in the expert talk. They participated eagerly in the discussions and clarified their doubts.
Day – 3
Date: 04.03.2024
Time: 02.30 PM IST
Resource Person:
Dr. Jayshree Vencatesan
Managing Trustee, Care Earth Trust,
Director, TN Women`s Development Corporation
Chennai
Topic: Women, Water and Wealth
Dr. Jayshree Vencatesan started the session with women and water crisis management with reference to Chennai Corporation. She detailed about severe water scarcity of the city, annual rain fall, demand for drinking water, available supply, interconnected system of rain fail and several catastrophic floods in Chennai in the past. She then emphasized the importance of water and it’s distribution.
Dr. Jayashree pointed out that ground water distribution is not uniform and is subjected to wide spatio-temporal variations accompanied by increasing anthropogenic interferences especially gender. She stated that almost all the formal water markets and grey area of operation are controlled by men. She explained, how effectively water related problems can be solved if women plays vital role.
More than 100 faculty members and students participated in the expert talk. They participated enthusiastically in the discussion part.
Day – 4
Date: 05.03.2024
Time: 3.30 PM IST
Resource person:
Dr. A. G. Shanthi
Department of Clinical Psychology
Institute of Mental Health, Kilpauk, Chennai
Topic: Stress Management for Women
Dr. A. G. Shanthi started session with defining stress, types of stress, factors causing stress. She elaborated some common, emotional,cognitive behavioural and physical symptoms of stress.
Dr. A. G. Shanthi mentioned few methods of effective stress management. She insisted on adopting healthy life style.She pointed put the importance of time management and prioritise activities.
Dr. Shanthi concluded the session by stating that stress is not good for health. As it will hinder the performance of the individuals, it shouldn’t be ignored. Dr. Shanthi suggested to have work- life balance and live a happy life.
More than 100 participants joined the session. They actively participated in discussion .
Day – 5
Date: 06.03.2024
Time: 02.30 PM IST
Resource Person:
Dr. Latha Rajendran
Principal & Correspondent
Dr. MGR Institute of Special Education and Research
Chennai
Topic: Women and Health
Dr. Latha Rajendran started the session with current challenges in Women health, Women’s education and causes for lack of their education and health.
Dr. Latha Rajendran mentioned that women need regular annual medical check-up and explained how nutrition, exercise and hygiene helps in women’s health. She elaborated the importance and deficiency of Nutrition in Women’s health. Then she moved on the session with mental health and menstrual health.
Dr. Latha Rajendran concluded the session with maternal health: health during pregnancy, postpartum health, breast feeding, balancing motherhood and personal health
More than 100 participants joined the session. They actively participated in discussion.
Day 6:
Date: 07.03.2024
Time: 02.30 PM IST
Resource Person:
Dr. V.Vishnupriya
Associate Dean of Academics, Professor and Head, Center of Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics
Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, SIMATS, Chennai
Topic: Women Empowerment – Need of the hour
Dr. V.Vishnupriya defined women empowerment and it’s importance in society. She elaborated how women empowerment helps to strengthen community, foster the needs of modern society and drives towards progress . She insisted that women empowerment is urgent and imperative need of hour.
Dr. Sood then talked about financial empowerment . She also discussed cultural practices affecting Women’s Empowerment. She briefed about practices such as child marriage, dowry system, and female infanticide in certain parts of India which are posing significant barriers to women’s empowerment .Honor killings, gender based discrimination and autonomy are cultural practices that perpetuate inequality.
She concluded the session by pointing Women’s empowerment is not just a necessity; it is the need of the hour for the holistic growth and prosperity of our world. As we envision the future, it’s imperative to recognize that empowering, women is not merely a matter of justice or morality but a strategic imperative for sustainable development and global progress.
Date: 07.03.2024
Time: 03.00 PM IST
Resource Person:
Dr. Anju Sood
Associate Professor in Mathematics & Director
Internal Quality Assurance Cell
Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Jalandhar, Punjab.
Topic: Grant Opportunities to Empower Women Researchers
Dr. Anju Sood started the session by mentioning factors effecting research work.She mentioned that research depends upon interest, motivation, academic and administrative support. She then detailed about various various agencies that are granting funds.She listed few important funding agencies exclusively for women in India. She further summarised various funds and eligibility to get the grant. She also mentioned few funds for women with break in career.
She concluded by sharing web links of few funding agencies like UGC,DST, SERB. She highlighted about Women Scientist Scheme ( WOS) and Women and Science and Engineering
(WISE).
More than 100 participants joined the session. They actively participated in discussion.
