The Department of Sociology, School of Tribal Legal Studies and Tribal Rights (STLS&TR), in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), KISS-DU jointly organized a Distinguished Invited Lecture on “Culture and Gender” on 13th December 2025. The deliberations addressed Sustainable Development Goal – 5 and how to meet UN Agenda 2023. Dr. Sanghamitra Jena, Head of the Department of Sociology, Rajdhani College, Bhubaneswar was invited as the esteemed speaker.
Dr. Pragyan Mohanty, Dean, School of Tribal Legal Studies & Tribal Rights, in her Welcome Address focussed on how culture plays a significant role in shaping gender roles and identities in society. She opined that social norms and traditions often influence attitudes towards masculinity and feminity. Dr. Mohanty concluded by expressing the need for academic discussions on culture and gender to promote gender equality, inclusiveness, and social awareness among students and researchers.
The Resource Person, Dr. Sanghamitra Jena, Head, Department of Sociology, Rajdhani College, Bhubaneswar was introduced by Dr. Babita Das, Head of the Department of Sociology, KISS-DU. Dr. Jena spoke at length on gender stereotypes and how society assigns fixed gender roles and expectations to men and women based on cultural beliefs. She also spoke about culturally constructed views of masculinity (strength, assertiveness and dominance) and femininity (care, emotionality and sensitivity). Dr. Jena stressed on the role of socialization and culture in shaping gender identities rather biology alone. Dr. Sanghamitra Jena concluded by highlighting the concept of cultured gender instead of gendered culture, stressing that culture should encourage equality, dignity, and mutual respect rather than rigid gender divisions.
The lecture was followed by an interactive question and answer session. The lecture concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Maitree Padhi, Faculty, Department of Sociology who expressed gratitude to the resource person, faculty members, research scholars, students and the organizing committee for their participation and cooperation.
