National Seminar in Subharti University on Eradicating Gender-Based Violence: Role of Educational Institutes
Women should know their rights and be confident: Dr. Minakshi Bharala
A national seminar was held at Swami Vivekanand Subharti University under the aegis of Subharti Law College, Internal Complaints Committee, Subharti University, and District Legal Services Authority, District Court, Meerut in Sardar Patel Auditorium on the occasion of International Human Rights Day. The seminar was held to explore the roles of educational institutes and the challenges they face in eradicating gender-based violence.
Chief Guest of the event, Dr. Minakshi Bharala, Honorable Member, Uttar Pradesh Women’s Commission, Mr. Udayveer Singh, ADJ, District Legal Services Authority, Meerut, Dr. Shalya Raj, Chief Executive Officer, Subharti University, Dr. Devendra Swaroop, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr. Pradeep Raghav, Dean, Students’ Welfare, Dr. Vaibhav Goyal Bhartiya, Dean, Subharti Law College, and Dr. Reena Vishnoi, Event Convener lighted lamps before Maa Saraswati and the seminar started in the moot court hall.
Dr. Reena Vishnoi, Event Convener gave the welcome address. She said that the internal complaints committee of Subharti University had been organizing different awareness programs on eradication of gender based violence since 25 November, in a period of 16 days. These programs were aimed at raising awareness among students of Subharti University and people living in nearby regions about Women Help Line, Gender Equality, Women Rights, POCSO Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, etc.
Chief Guest of the national seminar, Dr. Minakshi Bharala, Honorable Member, Uttar Pradesh Women’s Commission said that the education enables us to be aware of the rights we have. She said that the educational institutes have a critical role in the progress of society; but each & every person has to come forward to fulfill his/her duty. Women should know their rights and be confident. She told about the Women Helpline Number 1090 and said that a woman can call 1090 to make a complaint about the offence committed against her or any other issue. The caller gets quick response and her identity is kept confidential. She also told about the different schemes run by the UP Government in the interest of women.
Mr. Udayveer Singh, ADJ, and Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Meerut said that Human Right is the right to live with dignity. He said that the gender based violence starts from the family. Issues between husband and wife, gender discrimination in the family, female feticide, etc. are all examples of gender based violence. For these reasons, our social framework is weakening. Besides awareness, we also need to eradicate social inequality in order to resolve this problem. He said that the educational institutes can play a crucial role in eradicating the gender based violence. Raising awareness among students about gender inequality and transgender abuse will certainly bring about a major social change. He appreciated the 16-day public awareness campaign against gender based violence run by the Subharti Law College and the internal complaints committee of Subharti University.
Dr. Vaibhav Goyal Bhartiya, Dean, Subharti Law College said that education with awareness, and duties fulfilled with a sense of morality will establish human rights and gender equality in society. The aim of human rights is to build a free and equal society, and make it possible for people to live with honor. Human Rights create such an environment in society, where equality exists, and people are able to live with dignity without any fear. He said that the internal complaints committee of Subharti University is working to raise public awareness about the gender based violence. He declared the ending of the 16-day awareness program and said that the mutual respect and awareness will strengthen the human rights and gender equality.
Dr. Devendra Swaroop, Pro-Vice Chancellor, and Dr. Pradeep Raghav, Dean, Students’ Welfare Committee made the audience aware of multiple programs run by Subharti University for gender equality. Ana Sisodiya made all the people take the oath human rights. The event ended with national anthem. Joya Rao, Student of BALLB was the anchor of the event. All members of the internal complaints committee, Deans of all Faculties, Heads of Departments, teachers, and students of Subharti University were present in the seminar.