Port Blair, Nov 23: The Department of Home Science, JNRM, in association with the National Commission for Women, Govt. of India organized a National Seminar on “Rights of Differently Abled Women in Andaman and Nicobar Islands” on 23rd November 2022.
During the inauguration the Chief Guest Mrs. SmithaR IAS, Secretary (Social Welfare) Andaman and Nicobar Administration congratulated the Department of Home Science for organizing this programme which is the need of the hour. The women in the society are marginalized and the government is taking all possible steps to bring them into the mainstream. The Social Welfare Department is organizing various schemes for the Differently Abled in general and women in particular. She has encouraged the participants to make use of the benefits available for their welfare. Further she has highlighted the Accessible India Campaign through which the Government as well as public places are being made accessible for the person with special needs. Dr.K.S.Pushpa, Professor and Head, Department of Home Science, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram spoke on the difficulties being faced by Differently Abled Women in their family as well in society. They also have the rights to lead a life with dignity on par with others for which this seminar will certainly pave the way. Countries like Germany are providing equal opportunity for the Differently Abled Persons. Dr K S Pushpa has suggested establishing a State / UT level Resource Centre for the Differently Abled Women in the Department of Home Science, JNRM in collaboration with the Directorate of Social Welfare. Dr.S.Kavitha Maithily, Associate Professor, Department of Home Science, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram spoke about the need of having inclusive societies for the holistic development of the Differently Abled Women. Among differently abled women are again marginalized and through this seminar their voices will be heard as they come to know their rights. As the country marched towards Sustainable Development Goals, she added.
Dr.H.K. Sharma, Principal of JNRM spoke on the relevance of the programme in today’s scenario. He has also emphasized the vision for uniting the people to work for the development of Differently Abled Women in the Society. Under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) cell of JNRM the Department of Home Science and students are closely working with the Gram Panchayats and villages for the sustainable development of the villages and awareness programmes for the women. Dr. K.Venkatesan, HOD, Home science and Convener of the programme spoke on the role of NCW in safeguarding the women and their rights and also Differently Abled Women. The field workers have an important role to play to make aware the women about their rights and various Government schemes, he added.
During the technical Session Dr.K.S.Pushpa, Professor and Head, Department of Home Science, Gandhigram presented Barrier for Person with Disabilities: Breaking down Barriers with special reference to Women, Dr.S.KavithaMaithily, Associate Professor, Department of Home Science, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram presented Community Based Inclusive Development- Roles and Responsibilities of Grassroots Level Workers for bringing the DAW into mainstream. Mr.Saurabh Dudi, Assistant Professor of Law, Andaman Law College spoke on Legal Framework to Safeguard and protect the Differently Abled Women in India, Dr.K.Venkatesan, Assistant Professor & Head spoke on Schemes and Programmes for the Differently Abled Women for their Right Based Empowerment. Earlier Mrs.Nidhi Shekhawat, Assistant Professor welcomed the gathering while Dr Rekha Kumari, Resource Person, and Department of Home Science proposed vote of thanks. Mrs.Poonam Ajay Singh, Resource Person, Department of Home Science moderated the entire programme and Ms. P.Bhuvaneshwari, Resource Person and Ms.VarsaLakra has served as Rapporteur. Altogether 300 Differently Abled Women participants from various SHGs, Anganwadi Workers, Grassroots level functionaries, field workers and students participated in this programme.
Article Credits: Andaman Sheekha