Port Blair, Nov. 23: The Department of Home Science, JNRM in association with the National Commission for Women, Govt. of India organised a National Seminar on “Rights of Differently Abled Women in Andaman and Nicobar Islands” today.

Inaugurating the seminar, the Chief Guest Smt. Smitha. R, IAS, Secretary (Social Welfare) Andaman &Nicobar Administration congratulated the Department of Home Science for organising this programme, which is the need of hour. The women are in the society are marginalised and the government is taking all possible steps to bring them into mainstream.

She explained that the Social Welfare Department is organising various schemes for the Differently Abled in general and women in particular. She has encouraged the participants to make use of the benefits available for their welfare. She also highlighted the Accessible India Campaign through which the Government as well as public places are being made accessible for the person with special needs. 

Dr. K.S. Pushpa, Professor & Head, Department of Home Science, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram spoke on the difficulties being faced by Differently Abled Women in their family as well in society. They are also have the rights to lead a life with dignity at par with others for which this seminar will certainly pave the way, she said.

Countries like Germany is providing equal opportunity for the Differently Abled Persons, she said suggesting to establish a State / UT level Resource Centre for the Differently Abled Women in Department of Home Science, JNRM in collaboration with the Directorate of Social Welfare.

Dr. S. Kavitha Maithily, Associate Professor, Department of Home Science, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram spoke about the need of having inclusive societies for the holistic development of the Differently Abled Women.

Dr. H.K. Sharma, Principal, JNRM spoke on the relevance of the programme in today’s scenario. He has also emphasised the vision for uniting the people to work for the development of Differently Abled Women in the Society.

During the technical Session Dr. K.S. Pushpa presented Barrier for Person with Disabilities: Breaking Down Barriers with special reference to Women while Dr. S. Kavitha Maithily presented the Community Based Inclusive Development- Roles and Responsibilities of Grassroot Level Workers for bringing the DAW into mainstream.

Shri. Saurabh Dudi, Assistant Professor of Law, Andaman Law College spoke on Legal Framework to Safeguard and protect the Differently Abled Women in India. Dr. K. Venkatesan, Assistant Professor & Head spoke on Schemes and Programmes for the Differently Abled Women for their Right Based Empowerment.

Earlier Smt. Nidhi Shekhawat, Assistant Professor welcomed the gathering while Dr Rekha Kumari, Resource Person, Department of Home Science proposed vote of thanks.

Smt. Poonam Ajay Singh, Resource Person, Department of Home Science moderated the entire programme and Ms. P. Bhuvaneshwari, Resource Person and Ms.Varsa Lakra has served as Rapporteur.

Altogether 300 Differently Abled Women participants from various SHGs, Anganwadi Workers, Grassroot level functionaries, field workers and students participated in this programme