The Population Research Centre, Utkal University, organised a web symposium on 'Covid-19 and Women; the Gendered Contours of the Pandemic' to mark the World Population Day on Friday.
AIIMS, Bhubaneswar Director Dr Gitanjali Batmanabane, State Programme Coordinator, UNFPA, Odisha Dr Deepa Prasad, Prof Nilika Mehrotra from Centre for the Study of Social Systems, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi were the three distinguished speakers on the occasion. The webinar was chaired by VC Utkal University Prof Soumendra Mohan Pattanaik.
Dr Gitanjali Batmanabane talked about the increased vulnerability of pregnant women in health emergencies. Data from AIIMS outreach centres have indicated that domestic violence is on the rise and immunizaion is on the decline. “There is a need to collect data, case studies, create ‘mind bombs' to jolt ourselves out of our sense of complacency," said she.
Dr Deepa Prasad spoke on the differential impact of Covid 19 on women and girls. She covered many aspects of the pandemic that affect women. She suggested integrating prevention efforts and services for violence against women into Covid 19 response plans.
“This pandemic has further exacerbated the existing inequalities in our society”, commented Prof Nilika Mehrotra while talking about the gendered implications of Covid-19 in Indian society. She spoke about sex workers, transgender communities, elderly women of poorer communities, women with disabilities at great length and how the pandemic has hit all these marginalised sections of the society extremely hard.
The symposium was attended by over 85 members including the Population Research Centre's members, faculty members and students, professionals from academic institutions, Government and private sectors and NGOs. Ravenshaw University VC Prof Ishan Patro was also present and spoke in the programme. Prof Priyanka Khurana, Deputy Director, Population Research Centre extended vote of thanks.