A lecture and panel discussion on Gender Equality, Law and its Sustainability is organized on the occasion of International Womens Day at Sibsagar Commerce College by Womens Study Cell of college, where Kuki Moni Mahanta, Advocate Sivasagar District Court Sheikh Raisha Tabassum, student of Masters in Political Science in Ramjas College under Delhi University and state secretary of BJP youth wing, Delhi, women from different fields of the society join. The lecture session starts with the words from Mrinali Mahanta, convener, Womens Study Cell she states about the initiatives undertaken by the womens study cell of the college for the physical and mental development of girl students of the college. She also expresses the objective of the progamme to discuss breaking the chains of domination and discrimination towards women. Lightening the lamp, principal Dr. Saumar Jyoti Mahanta speaks about the history of womens movement in different places of the world. He states that low representation of women in parliament, landholding, and GDP contribution are causes of concern. Dr. Mahanta urges everyone the need for self-analysis and cites the examples of Birubala Devi, Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgohain, P.V. Sindhu, encouraging the girl students to come forward breaking the bias. Participating in the event Dr. Ratul Sharma, Vice Principal of the college, wishes everyone on the auspicious occasion of womens day and states the significance of observing this event.
Stating about the different legal provisions for protecting womens rights, Kuki Moni Mahanta speaks that these laws result from protests of a few brave women claiming their rights and opposing the injustice. She cites the examples of Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place Act, Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, etc. She aware the girl students how to exercise the provisions of different acts in need. She also shares the experience of domestic violence cases often she encounters in her legal career. However, she has mentioned some
malafide cases too of taking undue advantage of these laws. Participating in the event Sheikh Raisha Tabassum, says the girl students need to learn fighting against gender discrimination for their rights.
She encourages the students to raise their voices and to take the lead of a gender-neutral society. The lecture session is followed by a panel discussion where women from academics, law, entrepreneurship, environment protection, art and culture, including Porinita Borthakur, Lakhima Dutta, Chandralekha Rajkhowa, Silpi Hatibaruah Das, Bornali Gogoi, Swapnali Gogoi participate as panelists. Faculty members Dr. Ankita Borbora, Junjun Das, and students from the college also express their views. Many issues like changing peoples mindsets, the significance of observing the womens day, ways to empowerment are raised in the discussion hosted by Devashree Diksha Sandilya.
On this auspicious occasion, womens study cell of the college felicitates retired female members of the college namely Dipali Chaliha, Founding Principal of the college and president, Sivasagar, Natya Samaj, Dr. Aashna Chetia, Retired Vice Principal, Renu Devi, Retired Head, Department of Assamese and Snehamayee Saikia, retired senior assistant of the college.