Women's empowerment must begin from home, says expert panel

The panel discussion, “Women Empowerment: A National Imperative” was part of the city-based Sushila Birla Girl's School's launch of a new logo that best portrays the school's vision and core values.

Sharmila Bose, Principal, said that the logo is symbolic of the two pillars -- nurturing and empowering a child -- and will be the new face of the school as it approaches its silver jubilee year.  

Justice Indira Banerjee, the presiding judge of Delhi High Court was the chief guest and the panelists were Sujata Sen, former director of British Council - Eastern Region and currently CEO of Hope Foundation; Sudeshna Roy, an Indian film writer, director, actor and writer from Tollywood, Shyamasree Sen, Governor, of Rotary International District 3291 and the only lady to hold that post in India, Salony Priya, founder and director of Ummeed Counselling and Consulting Services and Alakananda Roy, danseuse and social worker.

The discussion was moderated by Dr. Kunal Sarkar, noted cardiac surgeon and a debater.

Justice Indira Banerjee, who was only the sixth woman to be appointed as a Judge, highlighted her own professional stance as an example for women empowerment, telling the audience how she made her mark in a system largely dominated by men. It is a change in the mindset that is the need of the hour, she said,

Salony Priya defined women empowerment in her own way by expanding the initials of the school (S-self aware woman, B-belief in yourself, G-grace personified, S-support system) and concluded with how the modern day woman is redefined every passing moment.

Sujata Sen said that women empowerment is not only a national imperative but a social responsibility and gave various examples from her work related to red light areas. She said, “Everyone should play a role and not expect others to take responsibility."

Shyamashree Sen talked about her own struggles as a woman in a patriarchal world and said that girls should be trained in self defence so as to not feel intimidated by stronger men. According to her, women should love themselves first, which is one of the key requirements towards empowerment.

Sudeshna Roy partly reiterated Sen's view that Indian women have to be taught to love themselves. She urged the audience that  to first acknowledge the responsibilities that mothers at home undertake and to make them feel empowered. She pointed out the dichotomy present in the society  -- when Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped as the goddess of wealth, women are considered a burden; Goddess Saraswati symbolises knowledge whereas many women are denied education;  Durga and Kali are believed to be the source of divine power yet women are considered weak. 

“I am in a privileged profession where men are a minority,” said Alokananda Roy and narrated her experiences of working with offenders in correctional homes. She said it is not her dance but love that heals people, and added, “To ensure empowerment for women, we have to empower people not just women."

(Reporting by Shilpa Salwan)