SRINAGAR: To encourage an inclusive and progressive work culture by promoting gender parity and empowering women in higher education institutions, the Directorate of Internal Quality Assurance (DIQA), Kashmir University (KU) in collaboration with Centre for Women Studies and Research (CWSR), KU Wednesday organised a daylong workshop on ‘Gender Parity for Ensuring Quality Work Culture in HEIs (Higher Education Institutions)’ here.
On the occasion, KU Vice Chancellor, Prof Nilofer Khan, highlighted the need for education to empower women for progressive work culture and urged sensitising masses especially youth about the significance of women empowerment.
“Time is changing. We need to encourage females by empowering them with education to harness confidence and growth,” Prof Khan said, adding that women receive due representation in all the committees of KU.
She boasted of female contribution in teaching, research, administration, sports, co-curriculum and innovation.
“We have more females joining in as students and scholars on their own merit who are more talented, more creative,” she said, adding that value-based education and awareness is vital to get a wholesome idea about the scenario.
In her keynote, Director, Centre for Women’s Development Studies, New Delhi, Prof N Manimekalai, encouraged women to actively participate in the progress of the society highlighting various government initiatives whereby women outshine men breaking stereotypes while simultaneously adhering to the respective socio-cultural norms.
“Gender parity is a takeaway for everyone. We have to ensure whether women are representing sufficiently or not and through awareness and sensitisation our future generation will be more enlightened and will significantly contribute in the growth and development of systems,” Prof N Manimekalai reiterated.
KU Registrar, Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir, highlighted the need to address the gender gap in literacy while emphasising KU’s role in ensuring “women are educationally empowered.”
“There are some inherent issues in our educational and organisational systems that may take time to address, however, sensitisation and awareness can have a lasting impact in aligning the discourse towards a more empowered, just and par society,” Dr Mir said.
Director, DIQA, Prof Manzoor Ahmad Shah, underscored the relationship between gender and quality work culture emphasising how women education, their participation and contributions led to the progress and prosperity of the world.
“Women have had a great role in the growth trajectory of our institution(s) and it is our responsibility to take care of their concerns and provide them a conducive environment to excel in their respective fields,” Prof Shah said.
Deputy Director, DIQA, Dr Ajaz Akbar Mir conducted the proceedings of the inaugural session while Liaison Officer, DIQA, Ozair Nissar proposed the vote of thanks.