Udupi: Empowerment of women has become a burning issue all over the world including India since the last few decades. Several United Nations (UN) agencies in their reports have emphasised that gender issues need to be given utmost priority. In this direction, Rotary Club, Manipal Town in association with the School of Management, Manipal University is organising a “National Conference on Women’s Empowerment: Create, Nurture and Transform” on Friday, January 6, said Dr. Ramachandra Nayak, Director, School of Management, Manipal University.
Speaking to media persons at Udupi Press Club on Tuesday, January 3, he said that this conference would provide a platform for scholars, researchers, social workers, policymakers, NGOs, community leaders and students to discuss a range of issues on women’s empowerment.
He said the conference aimed to discuss and deliberate on various issues pertaining to women’s empowerment which need to be addressed in the future by stakeholders locally, nationally and globally.
The themes of the conference include corporate leadership for gender equality, women’s empowerment in India-issues and challenges, role of women in self-help groups and non-governmental organisations, women in entrepreneurship and empowerment of women for healthy communities.
The conference will be inaugurated by Rtn. PHF D S Ravi, District Governor, RI Dist 3182. The session will be presided over by Dr. H S Ballal, Honourable Pro-Chancellor, Manipal University, Manipal and Gayathri Devi, Assistant General Manager, Vijaya Bank will be the guest of honour.
Prominent women will share their experienced about how they empowered themselves and others.
Around 30 research papers submitted to the conference will be presented in parallel sessions.
He said that an interesting panel discussion on “Women’s empowerment in India and abroad: Myth or reality”, is scheduled as a part of the conference for which panel members had been drawn from all walks of life who include Priyanka Mary Francis, CEO, Udupi District Zilla Panchayat and Renu Jayaram, Managing Partner of Jaya Dev Group, Udupi.
He also said that in the conference, about 20 women achievers from the region who have made significant contributions to the communities would be honoured. Four women entrepreneurs who had planned to start dressmaking business but were held back due to lack of finance will be presented with new sewing machines sponsored by Udupi’s well-known philanthropist Dr. G Shankar.
Rtn Sachidananda Nayak, President of Rotary Club, Manipal Midtwon; Dr. Smitha Nayak, Associate Professor, School of Management, Manipal University; Dr. Sesappa Rai were present at the press meet among others.
