Dr. Avnish Jolly, Chnadigarh, 10th March, 2009 :On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Department-cum-Centre for Women’s Studies and Development organized a Panel Discussion and Declamation Contest on ‘Women and Moral Policing’, at ICSSR Complex, P.U. Campus here today.
Inaugurating the Programme, Prof. R.C. Sobti, Vice-Chancellor highlighted the contribution which women make in procreating human race. He focused on Political, Academic and Social Achievements of Women. However, he expressed concern about the issue of female foeticide. Prof. Rajesh Gill, Chairperson, welcomed the guests and introduced the concept of moral policing. She declared that moral policing reminds women of their subordinate status. Prof. Manju Jaidka, Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar and
Ms. Dona Suri participated in a Panel Discussion. Prof. Manju Jaidka focused on empirical references to discuss in moral policing. She emphasized on the need for granting women freedom to determine their own parameters of tolerance. Ms. Dona Suri highlighted the cultural connotations of the issue. She asserted that there is a gap between legal and social aspects of moral policing. She maintained that role of socialization practices is very strong in perpetuation of the concept of moral policing. Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar took a Historical perspective to explicate the origin of concept of moral policing. She highlighted variations in different cultures with regard to rights of women. She tried to relate moral policing to women’s liberation with regard to liberty in decision-making process.
Over 20 students from various departments of the University as well as colleges of Chandigarh participated in the Declamation Contest. The first prize was awarded to Neha Tomar, Amrita Pathak won the second prize, while Amit Jyoti was awarded the third prize according to Dr. Rajesh Gill, Chairperson, Dept-cum-Centre for Women’s Studies and Development, P.U.