Dr. Ambedkar Studies Centre, Department of Sociology, University of Jammu organized a special lecture under its Lecture Series Programme on 31st March, 2011 at Computer Sciences Seminar Hall, University of Jammu. The Lecture was delivered by Prof. Tiplut Nongbri from Centre for the Study of Social Systems, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi on “Marginalization of Women in State and Public Policies with Special Reference to North- East India”. She is also the Director of ‘North-East India Studies Programme’, JNU.In her lecture, Prof. Nongbri highlighted the various state and public policies of North-East India which marginalize women to a large extent. She was of the view that the central laws like 73rd Amendment Act related to Panchayati Raj were not extended to States under the VI Schedule Areas of North-East depriving women their share of representation in the local political bodies. She also said that various laws and the policies of the state like those related to industry, environment and development lack women’s presence and participation. The women of North-East are facing several problems in recent years, especially with influx of outsiders, acts of insurgency and violation of human rights. The cases of violence against women are increasing and the “culture of silence” among women is now beginning to take the shape of “culture of protest”, though women are playing important role as negotiator of peace between the people and the government. The state governments in the North-East must take note of these initiatives and bring about the required and much needed change.
Prof. Rekha Chowdhary from the Department of Political Science, University of Jammu presided over the function. She said that the women of Jammu and Kashmir are also facing similar problems like women of North-East India but they are more influenced by their local religious and community affiliations and do not come together as ‘women’. Their gender specific identity gets curtailed by the politics of the state. Therefore, their problems are even greater and the situation here is much worse.
Earlier, Prof. Abha Chauhan, Director Dr. Ambedkar Studies Centre and Head, Department of Sociology, University of Jammu delivered the Welcome Address and highlighted the various activities organized by the Centre.
The lecture was followed by question–answer session in which the students and faculty members of various departments interacted with the Speaker. Ms Shivani Abrol, Ph D Research Scholar of the department presented formal vote of thanks and Ms Juhie Mohan, M. Phil Scholar conducted the programme.
