‘Empowerment key for gender equality’

Economic disparity is the root cause of the growing social inequality. The percentage of women with ownerships to property is abysmally low and this is reflected in the growing fermentation of poverty and their role in decision making process, said speakers at a panel discussion on the theme “Press for Change” organised on the eve of the International Women’s Day  by the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) here on Wednesday.

The panelist called for concrete steps for empowering rural and urban women so as to make them self-confident and have informed choices for making them economically sustainable.

It is also equally desirable to sensitise both men and women in the society for varying roles and responsibilities of women in different profession. In the professional spheres the panelists called for incentive mechanism and provisions such as flexi-timing to ensure productivity and recognition of working women, said the speakers.

Investing in capacity enhancement, skill and technology empowerment and motivational activities are truly essential for addressing gender inequality in the society, said the panelists

Rama Devi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Padmja Mishra, former Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University Prof Priyamabda Mohanty, Utkal University’s Swapna Mohapatra, CIFA’s Kanta Das Mohapatra and social activist Namrata Chaddha participated in the deliberations. The discussion was moderated by ILS Director Dr Ajay Parida.