HPNLU Hosts Guest Lecture on International Women’s Day 2025: “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment”
2 min read
Shimla, 08.03.2025: On the auspicious occasion of International Women’s Day, the Centre for Human Rights and Disability Studies, in collaboration with the Personal Law Studies Department at HPNLU, organized a guest lecture centered on the theme “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment”. The lecture, held on March 8, 2025, marked a significant moment in the global celebration of women’s achievements and contributions. This year also commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration on Women’s Rights, a landmark document that has guided the global advocacy for gender equality.
The event commenced with a warm welcome address by Dr. Sachin Sharma, who highlighted the importance of this milestone in the journey towards women’s rights. He acknowledged that the Beijing Declaration has served as a crucial framework for advancing women’s rights worldwide, urging continued efforts to overcome existing barriers and promote equality for women and girls.
The inaugural address was delivered by Professor Priti Saxena, who emphasized the critical role of education in empowering women and girls, acknowledging the progress made but recognizing the persistent challenges. She spoke about how violence against women remains a significant hindrance to their full empowerment and stressed that laws must not only be enacted but also put into practice to ensure women’s protection and advancement across all sectors of society.
The keynote address was presented by Professor Dr. Bindu S. Ronald, who explored the topic of women’s empowerment in the corporate world. She discussed the importance of ensuring women’s representation in top managerial positions and examined the barriers that often prevent women from reaching their full potential in the workplace. Professor Dr. Ronald posed a critical question: Is enough being done to support women in breaking the glass ceiling and advancing in their careers? She highlighted how female talent is often stalled at various points, with systemic challenges limiting their progress despite their capabilities.
The audience was further inspired by Mrs. Dicky Dolma, an esteemed Indian mountaineer, former alpine skier, and Senior Mountaineering Instructor at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mountaineering Institute. Mrs. Dolma shared her personal journey, recounting the obstacles she faced as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field. She proudly spoke about the seven records her expeditions set, illustrating the remarkable achievements of her teams. Her experiences were a powerful testament to the determination and resilience of women, encouraging everyone to break barriers and pursue their passions regardless of societal limitations.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Akshita Dhiman, Coordinator of the Centre for Human Rights and Disability Studies. This event successfully provided a platform to celebrate the strength, achievements, and resilience of women; while also addressing the ongoing challenges they face in various spheres of life.
