Jaipur: In a significant effort to address the pressing issue of gender inequality, the Rajasthan University Women’s Association (RUWA) organised an awareness programme on gender discrimination at ARCH College of Design and Business. The event, held to commemorate RUWA’s golden jubilee, saw active participation from over 100 students across various disciplines, sparking critical discussions on the state of gender inequality in India.
Key figures from RUWA, including President Dr. Shashi Lata Puri, Vice President Dr. Bina Agarwal, and Academic Cell Convenor Sangeeta Sharma, led the session, with ARCH College Founder and Director Archana Surana contributing to the discourse.
The programme commenced with a detailed presentation on gender disparity in India, led by Academic Cell Convenor Sangeeta Sharma. Highlighting stark statistics, she pointed out that women hold only 15% of parliamentary seats and represent just 23% of the workforce. Additionally, the corporate world sees only 4.7% of women in CEO positions. She stressed that these figures reflect deep-rooted societal challenges that go beyond the workplace, noting that many women continue to face harassment, significantly impacting their sense of security in public spaces. She urged for a cultural transformation, emphasizing that awareness is the first step toward achieving gender equality.
RUWA President Dr. Shashi Lata Puri spoke about the everyday struggles women face, asserting that gender discrimination often begins at home. She highlighted the importance of educating society at all levels to break these entrenched patterns. “The journey toward equality starts with awareness and action, both in our homes and communities,” said Dr. Puri, reinforcing the association’s ongoing commitment to gender advocacy.
Vice President Dr. Bina Agarwal reflected on the progress women have made in various fields, noting that while women are increasingly stepping into leadership roles, the path ahead requires continued support and awareness from all sectors of society. She encouraged the audience to actively participate in challenging stereotypes and biases that persist in everyday life.
Concluding the programme, ARCH College of Design and Business, Founder and Director Archana Surana emphasised the role of educational institutions in fostering empowerment. She called upon students to take responsibility for creating an environment where equality and respect are upheld, stressing that “empowerment begins with education and a shared commitment to inclusiveness.”
The awareness programme was a timely reminder of the urgent need to address gender inequality, with RUWA and ARCH College of Design and Business leading the charge in creating a more inclusive future for all.
