International Women’s Day celebrated at SOA

Bhubaneswar: Equality among men and women was the focus of a programme organised for women employees of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University here on the eve of the International Women’s Day on Monday.

Dwelling on the subject ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’, the theme of the International Women’s Day this year, several speakers expressed their views.

Saswati Das, vice-president of SOA, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said today’s woman could not be considered a weakling though gender stereotypes continued to exist. The focus should be on visualising both men and women as equal partners in this world, she said.

It was necessary to train children at home to consider men and women as equal, Das said.

Speaking on the occasion, Upasana Nayak, SOA’s founder member, said all women should get equal respect no matter whether they were professionals or homemakers. The dignitaries cut a cake to celebrate the occasion.

The programme was attended by SOA’s controller of examination Prof. Manjula Das, dean of the faculty of dental sciences, Prof. Neeta Mohanty, head of SOA promoted Preservation, Propagation and Restoration of Ancient Culture and Heritage of India (PPRACHIN), Dr. Gayatribala Panda, Prof. Meera Das, Prof. Sanghamitra Nayak, Prof. Renu Sharma, Prof. Trupti Swarnakar, Prof. Swayamprava Das, Prof. Sujata Mishra, Prof. Snigdha Patnaik, Prof. Madhubrata Das, Prof. Smita Mohapatra, Prof. Anita Panda and Incharge of SOA Community Radio Ms. Honey Patnaik. Other senior women officials of SOA and journalists from Prameya and News7 TV channel were also present.