Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, in collaboration with the National Service Scheme(NSS), Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, and Nehru Yuva Kendra, Coimbatore organized a one-day workshop on ―Gender Inclusivity in Higher Education Institutions: Challenges and Strategies at the Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, on Saturday.
As a part of a Short-term Empirical Project ―An Exploratory Study of Socio-cultural and Economic Possibilities of All-Gender Toilets in Select Districts of Tamil Nadu funded by Indian Council of Social Science Research.
The project studied the reach of Swachh Bharat Mission and the possibilities of including and establishing All-Gender Toilets under the umbrella of Swachh Bharat Mission in Higher Education Institutes in Tamil Nadu.
Dr. Angkayarkan Vinayakaselvi, Associate Professor, Department of English, Project Coordinator Director, ICSSR—Short-term Empirical Research Projects 2023–24, Bharathidasan University introduced the project and the findings. Co-directors of the project are Dr. Murugesan, NIT Trichy, Dr. Azhagarasan, University of Madras, and Dr. Sundaram, University of Madras.
Dr. Geetha, Director, Women’s Studies, Avinashilingam University inaugurated the Workshop. Dr. Radha, NSS Programme Coordinator, delivered the welcome address. Traveen Charleston, District Youth Officer (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India), Nehru Yuva Kendra, Coimbatore addressed the gathering. Dr. Latha, Assistant Project Officer, Women Development Corporation, District Collectorate, Coimbatore shared her views on the cleanliness of toilets and asserted the importance of Gender inclusivity as the need of the hour.
Rajendran, Programme Coordinator, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Coimbatore shared the key points of Swachh Bharat Mission. Dr. Anu Kuriakose, Assistant Professor of English, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. Dr. Anaditita Pan, Assistant Professor of English, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal served as resource person.
The resource people spoke about the importance of gender inclusivity in higher education institutes. Around 200 students participated in the workshop and interacted with the resource persons. Dr.Angkayarkan Vinayakaselvi, Associate Professor, Department of English, Project Coordinator Director, ICSSR Bharathidasan University thanked Dr. Bharathi Harishankar, Vice Chancellor of Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Prof.Selvam, Bharathidasan University and Dr.Radha, NSS Program Coordinator
The students participated in a Signing campaign and a Selfie Booth was installed on campus to promote Swachh Bharat Mission and Gender inclusivity.
