One-month campaign ‘Count Her In: Invest in Women’

The Women’s Cell launched the ‘Count Her In: Invest in Women’ campaign digitally on 8^th February 2024 aiming to raise awareness about the importance of investing in women and promoting gender equality. The campaign spanned one month i.e. from 8^th February 2024 to 7^th March 2024 and involved various events designed to empower female students and spark discussions on gender norms.

A series of activities were conducted as follows: –

1. Competitions: Video making, Slogan coining, and Poster making.

As part of the initiative, the Women’s Cell organized competitions including video making, slogan coining, and poster making. These competitions focused on themes of women empowerment and gender issues, with the aim of amplifying women’s voices and raising awareness about gender equality. 07 students participated in the competitions, showcasing their talents and creativity. The deadline for submissions was March 5th, 2024.

The prize winners of the competitions are as follows:

1. Petalia Couthinho M.Com  II                       1^stplace Video Making Competition
2. Ms Esha Thapa           FYBCA                           2^ndplace Video Making Competition
3. Ashwin Babu and Dhruv Naik FYBCA       3^rdPlace Video Making Competition
4. Ms Roshan Fatima     SYBCA                           Winner of Slogan Coining Competition
5. Ms Shrawaya Shetty SYBCA                           Winner of Poster Making Competition

These competitions not only recognized the talents of the students but also contributed to spreading awareness and promoting gender equality through visual storytelling.

2. Self-defence training session for girl students

The self-defence training session was organised for girl students on 21st February, 2024. The session aimed to empower young women with essential skills for self-protection and instil confidence in handling challenging situations. Mr. Suraj Paradekar, a renowned Karate instructor and India Book of Record holder was invited as the Resource Person for the training session. With his expertise and experience, Mr. Paradekar ensured an engaging and informative session. 20 girl students actively participated in the training session. Mr. Paradekar began with fundamental self-defence techniques, including blocking, striking, and evading potential threats. Through live demonstrations and interactive exercises, participants learned how to apply these techniques effectively in real-life situations. Beyond physical techniques, emphasis was placed on building mental strength, awareness, and self-confidence. Lastly, a question-and-answer session allowed participants to seek clarification on specific techniques and scenarios, fostering a deeper understanding of self-defence principles.

3. Stand Up, Speak Out” Workshop on Public Speaking

A Workshop titled “Stand Up, Speak Out” was organised on 22^nd February, 2024. The workshop aimed to empower young women to articulate their thoughts confidently and effectively in various public settings. Ms. Kimberly Gomes, a speech and drama teacher at Vidya Vikas Academy, was invited as the Resource Person for the workshop. With her expertise in communication and performance, Ms. Gomes ensured an enriching and interactive learning experience for all participants. 40 students participated in the workshop.  The workshop commenced with an introduction by the Women’s Cell coordinator, emphasizing the importance of effective communication skills in personal and professional growth. Ms. Gomes then took the stage and guided participants through various aspects of public speaking. Ms. Gomes stressed the significance of understanding the audience’s needs and preferences to deliver impactful speeches. Participants learned techniques for utilizing body language and voice modulation to convey confidence and conviction while speaking. Practical tips were provided on structuring speeches, including the introduction, body, and conclusion, to maintain coherence and engagement. Strategies for overcoming stage fright and nervousness were discussed, and Interactive exercises were conducted to allow participants to apply the skills in a supportive environment.

4. Women’s Day Celebration:  Free Dental Check-up Camp and Pink Sale

Women’s Day was celebrated on 7^th March, 2024, at the College, hosting several events to commemorate the occasion.

One of the highlights was a Free Dental Check-up Camp conducted by Dr. Sayali Dinar Mardolkar and Dr. Priyanka D’Souza from Studio32 Dental Clinic. This camp provided an opportunity for both staff (teaching & non-teaching) and students of the College to receive free dental check-ups, promoting dental health awareness within the community. The camp saw active participation from 60 staff and students, emphasizing the importance of oral health. In addition to the dental camp, there was also a Pink Sale of items organized by students. This sale featured various pink-themed items to promote entrepreneurship skills among female students.

Furthermore, the Women’s Day celebration took place in the College quadrangle. The program was compered by Steral Fernandes from BBA. Aastha from B. Com gave an impactful speech and other students sang a song including a special recognition ceremony where women staff (teaching & non-teaching) were felicitated by the Principal. Each woman was honoured with a pink rose, symbolizing appreciation and recognition for their contributions to the College.

Overall, the Women’s Day celebration and the campaign ‘Count her In: Invest in Women’ were meaningful and impactful, fostering awareness, empowerment, and recognition within the College.