On 7th March to celebrate International Women’s Day 2023, The School of Tribal Legal Studies and Tribal Rights (TLS & TR) in collaboration with NSS Wing, AURORA Center (under the ERASMUS+ AURORA Project) and Internal Complaints Committee for prevention of Sexual Harrassment of Women (ICC) had organisd a half day program #Embrace Equity with the UN theme: DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.The main purpose of the program was to raise awareness about the status and dignity of women among students and staffs respectedly. KISS-DU has been relentlessly working on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and marching towards achieveing the Agenda 2030. It lays emphasis on SDG – 5 (Gender Equality) with focus on girl child education hence it SDG – 4 (Quality Education) is also addressed.

The event was graced by Professor Swarna Tripathy, who is an eminent academician, noted gender specialist and Professor Emerita, KISS-DU,  Ms. Sadhana Mishra, Social Development Officer, KISS who works for protecting the rights of Transgenders and Hon’ble Vice Chancellor KISS-DU Professor Deepak Kumar Behera KISS-DU.

The event was anchored by Ms.Ashimala Lakra and Mr.Probin Toppo PG Students of the department of Social Work, KISS DU.

The Welcome address was delivered by Professor Swarnamayee Tripathy, Professor Emerita and the Chairperson of ICC, KISS-DU. Dr. Pragyan Mohanty, Associate Professor and Dean School of Tribal Legal Studies and Tribal Rights, KISS-DU introduced the guests and shared the objectives of the event.

Addressing the students and other participants, Professor Deepak Kumar Behera, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor said that each day should be celebrated as a Women’s Day and the Boys should pay a greater attention towards ensuring the gender equlity. Speaking in turn,  Professor Swarnamayee Tripathy, talked about the political chronology of celebrating women’s day. She also shared her  tales of struggle and success being a girl, wife, mother and over all as a woman. She also shared the vision and philosophy of the Hon’ble Founder KIIT & KISS Professor Samanta, who believes that the quality education is the only tool for empowering the girls/women completely.

Ms Sadhana, emopahsized that it is high time to upholds women’s achievement, recognizing challenges and focus greater on gender equity. She also shared how education helped her to break the barriers and live her life with dignity and  protect her identity.

Ms. Sanghamitra Ray, Convenor ICC, KISS-DU shared her views that without family support a women can’t achieve success, she also added that girls should know their rights in order to defend themselves and be careful about crimes against women.  She also spoke to the students regarding the Internal Complaints Committee of KISS-DU and made them aware regarding its function.

There was a question and answer session where students are asked certain questions on gender equality. This session was followed by a poem on women empowerment written and cited by Mrs. Sanageeta Parida, faculty and NSS Programme Officer.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Pabitra Das, Assistant Professor and Head of Social Work Programme, KISS-DU.