PAU Students hold women empowerment camp

PAU Ludhiana//Tuesday 8th Oct 2024 at 10:40 AM//Women empowerment

Camp at village Gahaur under the Rural Awareness Work Experience (RAWE) programme

Ludhiana: 8th October 2024: (Kartika Kalyani Singh//The Women Screen Desk)::

A women empowerment camp was organized by the final year students of B.Sc Horticulture (2024-25), Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), at village Gahaur, Ludhiana, under the Rural Awareness Work Experience (RAWE) programme. The camp was organized under the guidance of the Programme Coordinator Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar, Principal Fruit Scientist; and the Course in charge Dr Simrat Singh, Scientist, Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, PAU. The primary objective of the camp was to provide a platform to the women entrepreneurs to showcase their handicraft items and explore additional opportunities for skill enhancement in horticulture and allied ventures. 

During the camp, Chetna and Jashan apprised the participants of various short term courses and training programmes being provided at the Skill Development Center, PAU, to enhance the required skills and impart knowledge in horticulture and allied subsidiaries such as making of jams, candies, squashes, pickles, etc. In addition, Jahnvi and Riya disseminated information about various government schemes available for the startups. Gurpreet educated participants about the importance of forming the Self-help Groups, to avail the subsidies for  women entrepreneurs.

An exhibition of locally made handicrafts was displayed by the farm women namely Smt Sukhwinder Kaur, Smt Harjot Kaur and Smt Gurmeet Kaur. It included diverse range of products comprising embroidery, hand woven folding fans, table fabric cover, knitted sweaters, etc. The students, namely, Sakshi, Harshdeep Kaur, Vishnavi, Himmat Singh, Ranjit Singh and Muskan of the RAWE programme actively participated for the successful conduct of this camp.

Bakery industry helps girls stand on their own feet

Demand rising in Punjab, Nagaland, Delhi and Gujarat too 

Mohali//Ludhiana:2nd October 2024: (Kartika Kalyani Singh//The Women Screen Desk)::

Apart from education and marriage, there are many other things that are needed at every step in life. The most important among these is the money earned through honest earnings, which strengthens the financial backbone and also establishes one's feet very well in the society. This is where the continuous series of other successes in life begins.

Our team had seen girls active in the world of baking a long time ago in the royal city of Punjab, Patiala. These girls came to the Kisan Mela organized there with their families. The sisters, brothers and parents of these girls were all working with them with great enthusiasm. The cakes, biscuits, pastries and many other baking items made by them were selling very quickly at their stall. They had taken all this training from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, which made them completely self-reliant.

To start the business, the family invested a little and government departments also helped them with subsidies. Soon the business started to take off. They also started needing a house. Within a year and a half, these girls not only recovered their investment but also started making profits. Because the products were clean, fresh and tasty, their popularity also increased. Big orders for weddings and other events started coming in. They themselves did not remember when their desire to work was left behind.

Even today, in the world of baking, there is a remarkable group of girls who are not only pursuing their passion but also turning it into home businesses. Their journey is a testament to hard work, creativity and determination. These young entrepreneurs are turning their baking dreams into reality through strategic investments and innovative marketing techniques. 

Good news of similar successes of such girls has also come from Nagaland. There too, proper education and training has been arranged for them. It is in great demand in Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat and other parts.

Education guides every case and plays a key role in their success. Many have also sought out workshops and courses that enhance their skills and broaden their understanding of the business landscape. They form strong teams, collaborate with each other to share insights and support each other’s efforts. By using various tools—whether it’s social media platforms for marketing or budgeting tools for financial management—they are creating a path that inspires others.

It’s encouraging to see how these girls uplift each other while facing challenges in the baking industry. Their stories remind us that with passion, education, and teamwork, dreams can truly grow as beautifully as freshly baked bread!

These true success stories have created a new history. A new chapter has been written. A new path has been shown. This path leads to destinations where the saying “Apna Haath Jagannath” (Holding my own hands) starts proving true.

You too should take inspiration from them. You will move from the crowd of job seekers to the category of job providers. Bakery is only one field that we have discussed. There are many other fields open whose paths and destinations are calling you.

Stay tuned to Women Screen.

Gender gap is still very very critical

Monday 16th September 2024 at 9:14 AM

A recent UN report is sounding the alarm for global action

New York: 16th September 2024: (Media Link//The Women Screen Desk)::

A recent UN report is sounding the alarm for immediate global action to address critical gender gaps. Despite progress in gender equality and women's empowerment, with women now holding one in four parliamentary seats and fewer women living in extreme poverty, the report reveals that none of the indicators for Sustainable Development Goal 5 - achieving gender equality-are being met.

At the current pace, achieving gender parity in parliaments won't happen until 2063, and it will take an astonishing 137 years to lift all women and girls out of poverty. One in four girls are still married as children, highlighting the immense work that remains to be done.

The report emphasizes the staggering cost of gender inequality, with countries losing over $10 trillion annually due to inadequate education and an additional $500 billion in the next five years if the digital gender gap persists. 

Key Recommendations:

- Increase Investments: Boost funding to support women's empowerment and education

- End Discrimination: Enact and enforce laws to protect women's rights and prevent violence

- Legal Reforms: Implement domestic violence legislation to reduce intimate partner violence

World leaders are urged to take decisive action at the upcoming Summit of the Future on September 22-23 and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025 to address these critical issues.

As Sima Bahous, UN Women Executive Director, emphasized, "Progress is achievable, but it's not fast enough. We need to keep pushing forward for gender equality" 

Union Minister Launches SHe-Box Portal

Posted On>Monday 02nd September 2024 at 12:06 PM //Ministry of Women and Child Development//PIB

Revolutionizing Workplace Safety for Women's Empowerment 

New Delhi: 02nd September 2024:(PIB//The Women Screen Desk)::

In a landmark move to enhance workplace safety for women, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, led by Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi, launched the upgraded SHe-Box portal on August 29, 2024. This advanced platform is designed to centralize information about Internal Committees (ICs) and Local Committees (LCs) across the nation while streamlining the registration and tracking of sexual harassment complaints in workplaces.

The revamped SHe-Box now allows women to submit complaints directly to the relevant IC or LC of their choice, significantly reducing delays and minimizing human intervention in the complaint resolution process. Once fully updated with information from all Ministries, Departments, States, UTs, and private sectors, the platform will operate at full capacity. The Ministry's current target is to onboard the details of nodal officers and ICs of all Central Ministries/Departments by October 2024. The event also saw the unveiling of the Ministry’s newly redesigned website, marking a new chapter in its digital outreach.

The She Box will prove as A Game-Changer in Workplace Harassment Prevention in very short period. The SHe-Box portal is a cornerstone in the government’s mission to eradicate workplace harassment. By serving as a centralized repository of IC and LC information across sectors, it offers women a unified platform to file complaints, track their progress, and ensure timely action by relevant authorities.

At the launch event, Smt. Annpurna Devi highlighted the portal's role in providing women a more efficient, transparent, and secure way to address harassment at work. “This initiative underscores our government’s commitment to building a safer, more inclusive workplace for women across India,” she stated. The Minister also assured that privacy and confidentiality remain a top priority, with strict safeguards to protect the personal information of complainants.

It is not a slogan only  it is also a target that the Empowering Women as India Marches Towards 2047. As India approaches its centenary in 2047, the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has placed women's empowerment at the center of its development agenda. 

Recognizing the critical role women play in driving economic growth, the focus remains on creating safe and enabling workplaces where women can flourish. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 has been a cornerstone of this effort.

The launch of the SHe-Box represents a significant leap forward in implementing the provisions of this Act. Beyond just complaint registration, it ensures active monitoring and accountability, laying the groundwork for a safer working environment for women across sectors.

Now this new invention is a New Digital Face for the Ministry too. It will improve the safety and confidence among women. Alongside the SHe-Box, the Ministry unveiled its newly designed website, crafted to enhance the government’s digital engagement. As digital platforms increasingly become the primary point of interaction for citizens, the new website aims to create a cohesive visual identity while improving accessibility and interaction with both national and global audiences.

Bridging Gaps Through Digital Innovation with very easy steps and system. The SHe-Box portal is a reflection of the government’s broader vision of harnessing digital innovation to empower women. By providing a seamless, single-window system for registering sexual harassment complaints, the portal makes the process easier and more accessible to all women, regardless of their work status or sector. Whether they are employed in the organized or unorganized sector, public or private institutions, or even domestic workers—SHe-Box is a tool for every woman.

In addition, the portal includes a repository of resources linked to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, such as handbooks, training modules, and advisory documents, all available in Hindi and English for free. The portal also offers educational videos aimed at spreading awareness of the Act’s provisions.

In an Concluding point of view the launch of the SHe-Box portal is a monumental step in the government's ongoing mission to create a safer, more equitable workplace for women in India. By integrating technology with legal frameworks, the portal provides women a reliable and secure platform to voice their grievances. 

Along with the new website, these initiatives are a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive environment for women as India moves towards its centenary milestone in 2047.

This Time In Focus The Afghan Women and Girls

Females Strive for Their Rights Under 3 Years of Taliban Rule

Afghanistan: 12 August 2024: (Un Women//The Women Screen Desk)::

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the rights and freedoms of women and girls have been under severe assault. The Taliban regime has implemented over 70 decrees and directives aimed specifically at curtailing the autonomy and daily lives of Afghan women. These restrictions span critical areas such as education, employment, reproductive rights, maternal health care, mental health services, and more.

Afghan women continue to exhibit extraordinary resilience and courage despite these overwhelming challenges. Their determination to fight for equality and dignity is evident in their daily lives—from the seemingly simple act of leaving their homes to the more complex efforts of running businesses, organizing communities, and advocating for their rights. Rather than being suppressed, their resolve appears to be strengthening.

UN Women remains a steadfast ally on the ground in Afghanistan, standing beside Afghan women and girls every day. Our strategy focuses on empowering women through various initiatives, including scaling up support for women’s organizations, backing women humanitarian workers who provide life-saving services, and investing in women-led businesses. This critical work is made possible through the invaluable contributions of our Afghan women staff, who are at the heart of our mission.

As the struggle continues, Afghan women’s unwavering spirit serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of global solidarity and support.                                                       Photo: UN Women/Sayed Habib Bidell

Gaza: At least 557,000 women in Gaza are in crisis

These Women are facing severe food insecurity 

A family is seen sitting around a bowl of beans in their tent in Rafah, in the
south of the Gaza Strip. (Photo: UNICEF/Abed Zagout)

Gaza: 27th June 2024: (UN Women News//The women Screen Desk):: 

A high risk of famine persists across the Gaza Strip as long as the ongoing conflict continues and humanitarian access remains restricted, according to a new report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Food insecurity affects women in Gaza in multiple ways. UN Women estimates that at least 557,000 women in Gaza are facing severe food insecurity, and find themselves facing old and new gender-based vulnerabilities.

The situation is particularly concerning for mothers and adult women, who often prioritize feeding others over themselves and report greater difficulty accessing food compared to men, leading many to skip meals or reduce their intake to ensure their children are fed. Amid the conflict, women’s care burden is increased, their access to services is limited, their health and food security are compromised, and they face higher risks of being subjected to all types of gender-based violence. 

Here are five key facts explaining how food insecurity affects women in Gaza, based on a recent UN Women survey of people across the Gaza Strip1: Care burden: Women struggle to protect their children's physical and mental well-being while bearing increased caregiving and domestic responsibilities, particularly in tents and overcrowded households. Seventy-seven percent of male and female survey respondents reported that caring for children, including feeding and physical care, is primarily a mother's responsibility. 

Physical health and weight loss: 

Food insecurity and malnutrition are widespread in Gaza. Seven out of 10 women interviewed by UN Women reported weight loss in the last 30 days, and more than half experience frequent dizziness. Food assistance: Over 80 per cent of female respondents rely on food assistance as their primary source of food, yet 87.3 per cent believe that food assistance is not distributed fairly based on family size. Previous evidence collected by UN Women suggests that mothers often eat last and least, skipping meals to feed their children. Additionally, 83.5 per cent stated that the assistance did not meet their household needs. Complications in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum: Pregnant and lactating women face heightened health risks due to insufficient medical care and nutrition. Seventy-six per cent of pregnant women reported anemia, and 99 per cent face challenges accessing necessary nutritional products and supplements, endangering maternal and infant health. 

Among households with breastfeeding mothers, 55 per cent reported health conditions impeding their ability to breastfeed, and 99 per cent faced challenges securing enough breastmilk, compromising infant survival, growth, and development. 

Kitchen access and unsafe cooking methods:

Only one-third of respondents reported having access to a kitchen where they can cook meals. Additionally, 69 per cent rely on unsafe cooking methods, such as using wood and other waste materials, which increases health risks. Women, who traditionally handle meal preparation, are exposed to hazardous smoke and pollutants, leading to respiratory and other health issues. “When we were living in Gaza City, because of the war, suddenly we did not have food anymore,” said one 16-year-old girl interviewed as part of UN Women’s survey.

“There were no vegetables in the market and no food at all. We had to eat the worst things.” “For example, white flour was not available; we had to mix wheat flour with animal fodder,” she said. “Since it was the first time for us to eat animal fodder, our stomachs were in pain. Everyone suffered from stomach pain. We had days where there was no food at all, we felt tired and exhausted. 

Also, there were no hospitals, and some days we could not leave the house because of the bombing. ”Recommended actions Allow for humanitarian access: Ensure unimpeded access to all populations across the Gaza Strip. Provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance: Address the extremely high severity and magnitude of acute food insecurity and alarming WASH and health conditions through the restoration of health, nutrition, and WASH services, and the provision of safe, nutritious, and sufficient humanitarian food assistance to all the people in need. 

All aid supplies, including medicines, fuel, and other necessities, should be allowed to enter and move throughout the Gaza Strip. Provide malnutrition prevention services and treatment: Deliver acute malnutrition treatment services, while maintaining and protecting stabilization centres and outpatient treatment. Promote and support breastfeeding, and provide ready to use infant formula for non-breastfed infants. Provide complementary foods and micronutrient supplements for young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, the chronically ill, and the elderly. 

Restore production and market systems: Restore the functioning of market infrastructure and bakeries, combined with cash-based interventions where feasible. Rehabilitate food production systems as soon as possible, including horticulture, livestock, and fishing. Commercial good delivery should continue, however not at the expense of humanitarian assistance. 

1. UN Women survey of 295 men and 305 women across the Gaza Strip, April 2024

Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

 Thursday16th May 2024 at 8:11 PM

UN Women issued a statement on this International Day

"No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all"

Courtesy> International Trade Union Confederation

The theme of this year’s International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, ‘Leave No One Behind Equality, Freedom, and Justice for All’, underscores the urgent need to address the persistent discrimination, violence, and marginalization faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) persons worldwide.

Almost a decade after the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development made ‘Leave No One Behind’ a defining principle of our collective actions for positive change, we see welcome progress. As of late 2023, more than 100 countries had taken proactive measures to safeguard the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons. Legal reforms in 35 UN Member States have ushered in full marriage equality for same-sex couples. In 43 UN Member States, discrimination is prohibited on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics.

However, ongoing persecution against LGBTIQ+ people continues at alarming levels in many countries. Anti-homosexuality trends continue to be seen in many countries, as well as explicit criminalization of same-sex relations. There has also been a wave of legislative efforts to restrict the rights of transgender people, and the ascent of ‘anti-propaganda’ laws. Only 37 Member States formally grant asylum to persons who have experienced discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics. Moreover, in crises, marginalized groups including LGBTIQ+ groups tend to experience the worst impacts of those crises and yet are routinely denied much-needed tailored assistance.  

2024 is the biggest electoral year in history–posing a unique opportunity to demand accountability from decision makers and power holders, to dismantle oppressive systems, to promote legislative reforms and inclusive policies that protect rights, to promote and protect the inclusion, participation, and leadership of LGBTIQ+ persons in the democratic process as the only path to achieve equality, freedom, and justice for all.

As we commemorate this day, UN Women urges all stakeholders to foster intersectional alliances and act in solidarity with other critical movements to help drive our common goal of realizing equality, justice, and freedom for all.

Concerning the title of the day, UN Women underscores the implicit centrality of persons with diverse sex characteristics.