The PG Dept of Women's Studies, Berhampur University organised a distinguished lecture programme recently.
The theme of the lecture was "Gender and Sensitisation: Issues and Perspectives". The meeting started by faculty member Dr Bagmi Priyadarshani. In her address, she emphasized the need for gender sensitization in the present context.
Convener of the lecture series, Dr Kabita Baral introduced Prof Rekha Pandey, the speaker of the event, highlighting her contribution to the discipline of Women's Studies and various women movements in India.
Prof Pandey highlighted issues concerning society and women. Concepts of socialization, patriarchy, gender roles, gender violence, and gender mainstreaming were touched upon. She said sex and gender are two different concepts.
Increasing violence against women is a result of male-child preference and the nature of the socialization of male children. She elaborated that the labour division of gender primarily started during the hunting-gathering period.
Prof Pandey further said that such a gendered nature of conceptualization of work has resulted in low women's participation in labour compared to men.
Berhampur University VC Prof Geetanjali Dash discussed how the gendered division of labour started during early civilisation and evolved with economic development. She emphasised that abolishing the culture of silence and violence will be crucial to establish gender equality and parity in society.
PG Council Chairman Prof Susanta Kumar Baral argued that all kinds of work should be treated equally irrespective of the gender the person belongs to.