Summary
The session commenced with the felicitations by Hon’ble Rev. Father Vice Chancellor, SXUK and Dean, Xavier Law School to the esteemed speakers followed by inaugural address delivered by Hon’ble Rev. Father Vice Chancellor, SXUK
The sessions highlighted the importance of women's participation in technology, business, and public life
Xavier Law School, St. Xavier's University, Kolkata (SXUK) collaborated with the National Commission for Women (NCW), Ministry of Women and Child Development, New Delhi to host an awareness and capacity building program titled "Rise and Lead: Young Women Pioneering Technology, Business and Public Life" on May 3rd, 2024 [Friday]. The program was successfully conducted by the organizing Committee consisting of the Convenor, Dr. Rakesh Kumar Singh, Joint-convenors -Dr. Pratyusha Das and Dr. Gitu Singh and Co-Convenors- Dr. Asif Iqubal Shah and Rajdip Bhadra Chowdhury. The program featured eminent speakers including Mrs Meenakshi Negi, Member Secretary of National Commission for Women, Ministry of Women and Child Development, New Delhi, Rev. Father Maria Joseph Israel, Mrs. Amrita Dutta IFS, and Dr.(h.c)CS Adv. Mamta Binani.
The session commenced with the felicitations by Hon’ble Rev. Father Vice Chancellor, SXUK and Dean, Xavier Law School to the esteemed speakers followed by inaugural address delivered by Hon’ble Rev. Father Vice Chancellor, SXUK. Rev Father encouraged and motivated the participants with a story when a woman was chased by a group of men as they caught her in adultery and she kept on running to save herself from these men because they wanted to punish her by pelting stones on her. She then stood as she was spotted by a young gentleman. The gentleman who was helping the women addressed the group of men who wanted to punish her that if anyone amongst them has not committed a sin can throw a stone at her. By this he saw that no one was there anymore and the man advised the women to be joyful and told not to commit any more sin in future.
Focus on Technology and Public Participation
The sessions highlighted the importance of women's participation in technology, business, and public life. Mrs Meenakshi Negi, Member Secretary, National Commission for Women emphasized the need for women in these sectors and shared stories to illustrate the value women bring to the table. She explained to us that the three sectors where women are highly welcomed by National Commission for Women to participate and these are also the sectors where only fewer women are represented like:
1. Technology
2. Women in public life
3. Corporates
Education and Skill Development
Rev. Father Maria Joseph Israel S.J. discussed the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Drone technology, highlighting India's role as a drone hub and the success stories of women drone pilots. Rev. Father started by quoting Dr. James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey, a Canadian educationist and Scholar who said " If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate the whole Nation." He stressed the importance of education, skill development, and gender equality.
Breaking Barriers for Women in Leadership
Mrs Amrita Dutta, IFS addressed the challenges women face in decision-making roles, such as stereotypes, work-life balance, and societal conditioning. "One is not born but becomes a woman" i.e. the society teaches her how to become a woman. She presented solutions like quota systems, increased education access, and promoting work-life balance policies. However, the most important of all is to inculcate humanity within ourselves.
Women in Corporate Boards
Dr. Mamta Binani addressed the issue of women's representation on corporate boards. She encouraged women to be persistent and highlighted the value of experience. Ma'am drew an analogy between the job opportunities that we have, i.e, the size of the cake and the people with whom we compete, i.e, the number of people with whom I will need to share the cake. She said that the number of opportunities shall always be more and shall always go up so much that we never care about the people with whom we have to compete.
Open Questions and Answers Session and Vote of thanks
There was an open question and answer session, encouraging young women to pursue their goals. The speakers emphasized the importance of breaking stereotypes, acquiring skills, and advocated for gender equality. The program concluded with vote of thanks given by Convenor of the program Dr. Rakesh Kumar Singh, Associate Professor, Xavier Law School, St. Xaviers University, Kolkata.
Last updated on 13 May 2024
