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ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016

BRIEF PROFILE

THE CENTRE FOR WOMEN’S STUDIES KUMAUN UNIVERSITY NAINITAL

Committed to the cause of gender equity and women empowerment, Centre for Women

Studies Kumaon University has emerged as a pioneering interdisciplinary body in the field of

Gender Studies and Gender Research in Uttarakhand. Established in 2011 under the

‘Development of Women Studies in Indian Universities and Colleges’ programme of UGC,

Centre for Women Studies has had a very eventful and momentous journey in a short span of 5

years .

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True to its mandate and wedded to the cause of feminist scholarship, pedagogy and

activism, the Centre aims to formulate new definitions and methods to assimilate gender

consciousness into varied systems of knowledge and questions through constructive and critical

dialogues the existing discipline-wise concepts, tools and techniques that justify the denial of

equity to women and make them marginal and invisible. To put it more succinctly, it creates an

intellectually stimulating space where cutting-edge theoretical advances and fieldwork findings

are disseminated and exchanged on a common platform.

As far as the goal of the Centre is concerned, the Centre has been conceived as an

instrument of social engineering that aims to build a conducive gender- centric and gender-

sensitive ecosystem for women from all spectrums of the society. It strives not only to

interrogate the entire system of socio- economic –political and cultural subordination of women

but also generates critical consciousness about the dominant ideologies of misogyny and

patriarchy. In order to achieve this, the Centre rigorously resorts to Teaching, Training,

Research, Extension, Dissemination and Advocacy as its core activities.

It deserves mention here that the Centre has been proactively undertaking major

activities like Research and Extension activities, conducting seminars, workshops, panel

discussions and advocacy programmes to examine the contributions ,perspectives, experiences,

roles and status of women within the historical and multicultural framework.

Adorned with lavish titles like ‘Uttaranchal Ratan’ ,Best Citizen Award 2009 ‘and Acharya

Narendra Dev Alankar’ , Founder/ Director of Centre for Women Studies D.S.B Campus

Kumaon University Nainital Prof. (Dr.)Neeta Bora Sharma is a renowned educationist, feminist,

visionary and humanitarian. Under her illustrious leadership ,the Centre for Women Studies has

not only become a premier and one-of- its- kind institutions in Uttarakhand but has also become

the heart of feminist scholarship and analysis in a small span of 5 years. Still more because of

her immense and indefatigable contributions to the causes of women and women empowerment,

she also has the privilege of being designated as the President of Sexual Harassment Committee

at work place in DSB campus, K.U. Nainital. As far as her academic pursuits are concerned, she

has profusely written about 100 articles and research papers which have been published in

reputed journals. Besides this she is also authoring varied books 'Anusuchit jatio ka vikas ma

araksan ki bhumika‘,Rajnitik Avadarna avam vad, sansadia Loktantra ka mhahtvapuran

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stamb ,Dr rajendra Prasad avam Bhartia savindhan ka pachas varsh and has edited thought

provoking and timely volumes on ‘Social justice and women in India’, ‘Perspectives of Human

Rights’ ’Status and Role of women in Uttarakhand’

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. Introduces a basic foundation course encompassing new gender perspectives in all faculties

2. Examines the impact of political, social and economic macro systems on women

3. Uncovers discrimination against women and draws attention to the special needs of women

in the marginalized sections of society

4. Mobilizes women’s opinion and action on critical social and economic issues

5. Mainstreams gender issues in teaching and research in different departments

6. Undertake its own research projects on some relevant issue around Uttarakhand .For instance

a Study of urban or rural poverty in Uttarakhand and its effects on the lives of women , The

role and status of women in Uttarakhand, Situation of SC/ST and Muslim women are some

projects which have been successfully executed

7. Embarks on to guide others as Co-guides or supervisors who may be undergoing their

doctoral research or writing dissertations on women’s issues

8. Help researchers by enlightening them on research methodology in Women’s Studies

9. Guide students from other social science disciplines to conduct surveys and research on

women’s issues

10. Collaborate and Network with Women Administrators, NGOs/CSOs and Community

Building Organisations.

11. Encourage, Establish and Support development of linkages among women managers in

higher education in Uttarakhand region and at the national level.

12. Formulate and Plan academic courses and activities to be undertaken in the coming years.

13. Formation of local, regional and national associations of women

14. Sensitisation of policy makers, male faculty and administrators

MAJOR THRUST AREAS

1. Gender Equality

2. Girl’s Education

3. Gender discrimination and violence

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4. Reproductive health and population

5. Issue of women rights

6. Women and laws

7. Women and society

8. Women and Environment.

9. Feminization of Poverty

10. Gendered Economics

11. Feminist Counselling Approaches

12. Research methodology in Women’s Studies

AWARDS/FELLOWSHIP, HONOURS AND RECOGNITIONS

Dr. Neeta Bora Sharma, DIRECTOR, CWS, K.U. ,Nainital

Professor of Political Science, KumaonUniversity Nainital.

i) Acharya Narendra Dev Alankar, 1990

ii) AmbedkarFellowship, 1992

iii) Honoured by All India Bar Association U.P., 1999

iv) Awarded by UttaranchalRatan, 2003

v)Shiksha Ratan Puraskar 2008.

vi)BestCitizen Award 2009.

vii)Honoured by Uttarakhand Urdu Journalists &Writers Committee 2013

INFRASTRUCTURE

1. One room well furnished with computer facility

2. Reprographic machine 01

3. Computer with printer 01

ACTIVITIES PERFORMED BY THE CENTRE FOR WOMEN’S STUDIES

Numerous high profile research Seminars, Conferences, Public Lectures and Panel

discussions have been organised under the aegis of the Centre. The Centre also has an

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unparalleled record of eminent speakers on gender including lawyers, women activists,

academicians, writers and veteran members of Women Commission and Mahila Aayog.

1. Publications

1. “Status and Role of Women in Uttarakhand” ISBN-978-93-5104-583-0; Editor-Dr. Neeta

Bora Sharma; Director C.W.S ;

2. “Protection of Human Rights Of Women in India” (under publication)

3. “Bharat Mein Manav-adhikar”(Hindi) ; Under Publication

4. “Challenges Of Women in Himalayan Region”; Under Publication.

2. Library and Documentation

1. A cell has been reserved in the Central Library Kumaon University Nainital for about 400

books related to Women Studies & Gender issues.

2. A small library has been setup in the office of C.W.S Kumaon University Nainital and at

present has about 200 Books/Journals/Magazines for research scholars.

3. News Paper cuttings & Articles related to Women Empowerment, Human Rights

Violation & Current Gender Issues have been aggregated which serve as baseline data for

research scholars.

3. Seminar

1. National Seminar on “Status & Role of Women in Uttarakhand” was held on 29th -30th

November 2012.

2. National Seminar on “Protection of Human Rights of Women in India” was held on 1st&

2nd March 2014.

3. National Seminar on “Challenges of Women in Himalayan Region” was organized on

1st& 2nd September 2015.

All the Seminars were well received and appraised. Near About 150 Research Papers were

presented in the Seminars. All the three Seminars were sponsored by I.C.S.S.R (New Delhi)

&Kumaon University Nainital.

4. Liaising with other Departments- activities

1. Celebration of Women’s day (8th March every year)

2. Round Table Conference on “Domestic Violence”; “Women Protection”;

“Sexual Harassment at work place” and “Decision making power of Women in Policy-making”.

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3. Workshop on Sexual Harassment Act 2013 on 30 October 2015

5. Lectures

1. On November 2011 a lecture was given by prof ChandrakalaPadia DirectoCentre for

women studies,B.H.U.Varanasi.

2. On 12th November 2011 a lecture was given by Dr. Rupa Manglani,Rajasthan Police

Academy,on the topic “Gender & Sex”.

3. On 16th November 2011 a lecture was given by Smt. Santosh Khanna,Secretary, Mahila

Vidhi Bharati Parishad ,New Delhi, on the topic “Constitutional Rights of Women in India.”

4. On 29th November 2012 a lecture was given by Smt. SushilaBaloni,Chair-person Women

Commission Uttarakhand, on the topic “Status of Women in Uttarakhand”.

5. On 1st March 2014 Mrs. Rakesh Dhawan (A.I.W.C Dehradun) gave a lecture on

“Entrepreneurship of Women”.

6. On 1st September 2015 a lecture was given by Mrs. Sujata,Member Secretary Women

Commission Uttarakhand, on the topic “Female Foeticide”.

7. On 29 October 2015 a lecture was given by Mrs. ManjuKotalia, Advocate on the topic

women and law in India

8. On October 2015 lecture on AntarikSikat Samiti by Prof.Vijay Dodiyal,Department of

Education, K. U. Nainital

9. On 8 March 2016 a lecture was given by Smt.AmitaLohani,Vice Chairperson,Mahila

Aayog,Uttarakhand on the Women empowerment

6. Organizing Orientation Programs

Refresher Course on Women Studies was organized by Academic Staff College: Coordinator-

Prof. Neeta Bora Sharma (Director C.W.S Kumaon University Nainital).

7. Student Activities

1. Poster making Competition; November 2012

2. Essay Writing Competition 2012,2014

3. Essay Writing Competition 2015, 2016

COLLABORATION

In its itinerary, CWS haspartnered and coordinated with many prominent agencies

engaged in Women Development andEmpowermentlike:

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1. Intra-university Centres on Adult and Continuing Education and Population Education

2. Academic Staff Colleges in India and CollegeDevelopment Authorities

3. All India Women Conference, Uttarakhand

4. Mahila Aayog, Uttarakhand

5. Women Cell, C.C.S. University Meerut

6. India World Foundation, Delhi

7. Bar Association ,Nainital

8. Department of Political Science ,D. S.B. Campus Nainital

9. Human Resource Development Centre(HRDC), Nainital

10. Acharya Narendra Dev Research Institute Nainital

FUTURE PROGRAMMES AND FORTHCOMING ACTIVITIES

At present the Centre proposes to offer

A. COURSES

S. No. Course Duration

1. 1. Under graduate interdisciplinary certificate course

in Women & Development

3 months part time

2. M.A. in Women Studies 2 years

3. P.G. Diploma in Women Studies 2 years

4. Women and Law in India Short Term Certificate Course

5. Legal and Psychological Counselling Short Term Certificate Course

6. Human Rights Education Short Term Certificate Course

7. Legal Literacy Short Term Certificate Course

B. RESEARCH/TRAINING

1. Impart practical skill training in formulation, designing and evaluation of research proposals

2. Provide research guidance / mentoring to female students and young colleagues and shall

encourageenrolment of female students from all disciplines to undertakeresearch

3. Promote exchange of ideas in Open Seminars and Postgraduate workshops

4. Promote Refresher and Orientation Courses to stimulate greater participation of women

teachers as faculty in the centre

5. Literary meets and Women conclaves shall be arranged

6. Gender Sensitization programs for men

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7. Capacity building programsfor ElectedWomen Members ofPanchayati Raj / local

Government Institutions and Urban local bodies

8. Resource generation through seminars, workshops and conferences shall be fostered

9. Encourage and support development of linkages among women managers in higher

education at Uttarakhand region and national level

10. Staff in colleges shall be imparted training so that they can transmit knowledge in rural

and backward areas

11. Workshops on how to mitigate and eliminate violence against women and girl child

12. Educational exhibitions

13. Career counselling and Gender sensitization awareness for Sexual Harassment Act.

C. INFRASTRUCTURE/DOCUMENTATION CENTRE AND LIBRARY FACILITIES

1. The Centre proposes to start a Smart Classroom withfeatures like integrated audio-visual

teaching aids for lectures andpower point presentationsfor dynamic and focussed discussions.

2. With reference to Uttarakhand, the Centre aims to build up a database of primary and

secondary sources,archival records, folk literature and other materials which will shed light

on the role and status of women in Uttarakhand.

3. Plans to create aninteractive website for tele-education on women issues which will also

serve as an E-learning portal

4. Propose to start Consortium Rooms which will be a forum for various exercise like brain-

storming sessions, group discussions ,role plays and dialogues

5. Will subscribe to relevantonline and print journals,newspapers and magazines

6. Shall create a repository of CDs, DVDs, Slides and film strips, flip charts developed by

women NGOs for easy reference.

D. PUBLICATION

1. Biannual Journal and Newsletter on Women Studies

2. Teachers of the Universities shall be encouraged to write reference and text books

(prescribed syllabus of the specialized courses of the women studies centre)

3. Shall execute Short Term Summer and Winter Courses and Programs for the upliftment of

marginalised, SC/ST women and minorities.

4. Centre shall initiate and mobilize a team to sensitize the rural women of Uttarakhand

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5. Shall carry out empirical studies to estimate the actual extent of drudgery, underemployment,

naked employment and state of starvation of women in the tribal and lagging community

habitation of Uttarakhand and beyond. Moreover it will try to suggest appropriate corrective

policy measures for its removal.

6. Special Events like Gender sensitisation programmes for students, street plays, essay

competitions, poster making competitions and women’s day celebrations

7. Centre will encourage students to undertake socially relevant projects and all possible efforts

shall be made by the Center for Women Studies to duly recognise and acknowledge their

findings if they are in consonance with the requirements of the Centre.

LIST OF FACULTY MEMBERS

Director: Prof. Neeta Bora Sharma, Deptt. Of Political

Science K.U. Nainital

Data operator- cum- Office Incharge: Mrs. Shailja Verma

Honorary Members: 1.Dr.Ketki Tara Kumaiyan, UGC Senior Research

Fellow, Deptt. Of Political Science K.U. Nainital

2. Hridayesh Kumar, Research Scholar, Deptt. of

Political Science K.U. Nainital

3.Rekha,UGC junior Research Fellow ,Deptt. Of

Political Science K.U. Nainital

CALENDAR OF IMPORTANT EVENTS

DATE EVENT

Mar 8 Women’s Day is celebratedevery year on March 8

Round Table

Conference

Panel Discussions are hosted and organised on critical issues like Domestic Violence, Women

Protection,Sexual Harassment at work place, Decision making power of Women in Policy-

making each year

12 Nov 2011 Lecture on Gender & Sex was given by Dr. Rupa Manglani, Rajasthan Police Academy

16 Nov2011 Lecture was given by Smt. Santosh Khanna ,Secretary, Mahila Vidhi Bharati Parishad New

Delhi on the topic Constitutional Rights of Women in India

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29Nov 2012 Lecture on the theme Status of Women in Uttarakhand was given by Smt. SushilaBaloni,

Chair-person, Women Commission Uttarakhand,

Nov 2012 Organised Poster making Competition

Nov 2012,2014,2015

and 2016

Organised Essay Writing Competition consecutively in 2012,2014,2015, 2016

29 -30 Nov 2012 Organised two days National Seminar on Status & Role of Women in Uttarakhand

1 Mar 2014 Lecture on Entrepreneurship of Women was delivered by Mrs. Rakesh Dhawan, A.I.W.C

Dehradun

1- 2 Mar 2014

Organised two days National Seminar on Protection of Human Rights of Women in India

1 Sep 2015 Lecture on the topic Female Foeticide was given by Mrs. Sujata ,Member Secretary, Women

Commission Uttarakhand

1-2Sep 2015

Organised two days National Seminar on Challenges of Women in Himalayan Region

29 Oct 2015 Lecture on the topic Women and Law in India was given by Mrs. ManjuKotalia Advocate

Oct 2015 Lecture on AntarikSikat Samiti by Prof .Vijay Dodiyal, Department of Education K. U.

Nainital

30 Oct 2015 Organized Workshop on Sexual Harassment Act 2013

8 Mar 2016 Lecture on Women empowerment by Smt. AmitaLohani, Vice Chairperson ,Mahila Ayog,

Uttarakhand

1SUJATA CHAUHAN SUSILI BALONI 2 BOOK RELEASE by Prof H.S.Dhami,Smt SaritaArya,S katura ,Amita

Lohani,Rakesh Dhawan,Kumar Rakesh,neeta bora

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3 lighting of lamp photo exjebition Prof D. C. Pande prof H. S.Dhami 4 justise Rajesh Tandan,Mr P. Patel

M.P.,Prof.S.P.Mehata , prof Nirmala,

5 member mahila Ayog UTTARAKHAND,JAMMU KASHMIR,SIKIM Magalaya IN SEMINAR NAINITAL,

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8 Guest & Delegates

Paper presentation Panel Discussion