National workshop & Formation of Gender Champions in Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh
Date - 20th to 21st March 2017

National workshop & Formation of Gender Champions in Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh

A two days National workshop was organised in Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh w.e.f, 20th to 21st March 2017. The workshop was organised by Dept. of Sociology, Dept. of Social Work, Dept. of Education and NSS Unit, RGU. The workshop was supported by Centre for Tribal and North Eastern Youth Development, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India.

The RGNIYD functions as a vital resource centre with its multi-faceted functions of offering academic programmes at Post Graduate level encompassing various dimensions of youth development, engaging in seminal research in the vital areas of youth development and coordinating Training Programmes for state agencies and the officials of youth organisation, besides the Extension and Outreach initiatives across the country.

The Institute functions as a think-tank of the Ministry and premier organization of youth-related activities in the country. As the apex educational institute in Arunachal Pradesh, Rajiv Gandhi University works in close cooperation with the NSS, NYKS and other youth organizations in the implementation of training programmes of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.

The two days National workshop sought to realise its objectives by development of the youths and to cater to the needs and aspirations of these young people of the state to realise their potentials to create a just society. With the objective of capacitating and participation of youth irrespective of gender a “Gender Champions Club” was formed on the lines of concerned Ministry with members belonging to the students from dept. of Sociology, dept. of Social Work, dept. of Education and NSS Volunteers of RGU.

The formation of Gender Champions club will entail establishing and nurturing network of youth development agencies and promoting co-operation and collaboration among them. It also aims at providing a forum to young people of the university for dialogue, consultation, and exchange of views on matters and issues impacting the life of the young people.

Gender Champions are envisaged as responsible leaders who will facilitate an enabling environment within their academic institutions where girls are treated with dignity and respect. They will strengthen the potential of young girls and boys to advocate for gender equality and monitor progress towards gender justice.

A total of 15 Female and 10 Male students have been selected for the same. They would organize exposure visits to various public service institutions at the village, block, district and city level (public health centres, hospitals, post offices, banks, police stations, block office, SDM/DM office to facilitate knowledge about gender issues. They will be responsible for Identifying gaps in activities of educational institutes vis-à-vis gender, and make recommendations to the government on how to address the gaps.

The first day of the workshop held on 20th March 2017 was based on the Theme “Gender Sensitization and Legal Awareness” and was chaired by Prof. Elizabeth Hangsing, Director, Women Study & Research Centre, RGU. The broad mandate of this workshop was to provide an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the social and cultural constructions of gender that shape the experiences of women and men in society.

The aim has been to make the young boys and girls gender sensitive and create positive social norms that value the girls and their rights. The workshop guided in providing overall guidance to the youths in integrating /mainstreaming gender in all activities of the Institution in the form of focused group discussions, debates etc.

National workshop & Formation of Gender Champions in Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh

Prof. Tasi Kaye, Dean Student Welfare, RGU inaugurated the 2nd day workshop held on 21st March 2017 focused on the flagship programme of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao”. Alarmed by the sharp decline, the GoI has introduced Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) programme to address the issue of decline in CSR in 100 gender critical districts. Coordinated & convergent efforts have been suggested to ensure survival, protection and education of the girl child. This workshop addressed the three main objectives of BBBP i.e, Prevent gender biased sex selective elimination, Ensure survival & protection of the girl child and Ensure education of the girl child.

Eminent resource persons belonging from various fields from the state delivered immense lectures on the topics related to Gender Sensitisation, legal awareness and Beti Bachao Beti Padao andolan. The two day affair witnessed the following galaxy of Panellists:

Mepung Tadar, Former Vice Chairperson, A.P State Commission for Women spoke on UN Women He4She campaign, Sustainable Development Goals: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (SDG), Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse under POSCO.

Dani Belo, Dy. Secretary Law & Judicial, GoAP and OSD to AP State Legal Services Authority spoke on Human Trafficking and Violence against Women and Girls.

Dr. Tana Natung, Nodal Officer (NHM), Dept. of H&FW, GoAP spoke on Gender Health Perspectives and Gender Equality.

Dr. (Mrs). Boa Reena Tok, Associate Professor, Dept. of Education RGU spoke on Sex Ratio & Gender Discrimination.

Bikash Bage, Asst. Professor, RGU & Organising Committee member, Dept. of Sociology, RGU spoke on Online Violence & Exploitation of Women & Girls: Social Media (Prevention, Protection, Redressal).

Dr. Shashank Yadav, Asst. Prof, Dept. of Sociology, RGU spoke on Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.

Gomar Basar, NSS PO and Member GCC briefed on introduction on UGC mandated Gender Champions Club (GCC)

The workshop also witnessed the Parallel Events/ Competitions on Theme - Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. Various activities like Awareness Campaign, Sports events, Poster, Essay, Elocution, Drama, Song composition.

A Free Legal AID Clinic was also set up in the vicinity of the workshop. Students availed free legal counselling form Advocate Rosy Taba, Consultant, Dept. of Justice, GOI. Pamphlets and IEC material were distributed to the students and visitors to the clinic.

John Gangmei, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Social Work, RGU & PO, NSS appreciated and thanked all the stake holders and the student participants for the successful completion of the two days workshop.