Gender Champions Club

The Genders Champion Club organised a workshop on Sexual Awareness for unprivileged children of village Jagatpura. The workshop was conducted in collaboration with Gursidak Foundation, an NGO dedicated to providing education to underprivileged children.

Club members Shreya Suman, Parmeet Chaudhary and Bani Bakshi conducted the workshop and educated children about the difference between unsafe touch and safe touch. They further provided useful information about menstruation and adolescence. Children were made aware of various physical, psychological, emotional and behavioural changes that take place during puberty. The issue of transpeople and self-identification was also focused upon. Children were also guided about making the right decisions and the measures for taking help if required. Dr. Divya Jyoti Randev, Nodal Officer of the club and Dr. Shruti Sharma, faculty member organised the activity.

The Gender Champions Club in partnership with Institution Innovation Council hosted a session on ‘Innovation, Technology and Policy for Gender Empowerment’. The event was organised on 13th February 2024.

The session brought together seven dedicated volunteers who presented insightful discussions on key issues related to gender empowerment. Students gave insightful presentations on various topics such as women and digital safety, LGBTQAI rights in the tech sector, discriminatory policies against men, role of new media in gender empowerment, the rise of female entrepreneurship among others. Shreya Suman and Akhil Garg were awarded the first and second prize respectively for their presentation while Bani Bakshi bagged the consolation prize.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Gender Champions participated in the ‘Inspire Inclusion March’ organised by the Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society, UT Chandigarh in collaboration with the State Legal Services Authority and NGO Yuvsatta. This march was a pivotal event in the weeklong celebrations of International Women’s Day 2024, spanning from March 2 to March 8. Chandigarh Mayor Sh. Kuldeep Kumar inaugurated the Walkathon amongst loud cheers. Yuvsatta founder Mr Pramod Sharma was also present on the occasion.

The participants gathered at the iconic Open Hand Monument, Capitol Complex. From there, they marched in unity towards Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh, symbolizing a collective commitment to promoting gender equality and inclusion.

The Gender Champions Club organised an outreach visit to the Women and Child Support Unit of Chandigarh Police. The members of the club were welcomed by DSP Sita Devi and Inspector Parveen Kumar who gave them a tour of the unit and briefed them about its working.

Students were informed that the unit handled cases pertaining to domestic violence, marital discord and dowry. In addition, students were made aware of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit that handles cases related to child labour, trafficking, marriage, begging and abuse, and helps children find homes and enroll in vocational courses to lead a sustainable life. Constable Sachin Kumar narrated the stories of successful operations conducted by the unit. Students were also told about the women and childcare helpline numbers.

The Club in association with the Chandigarh Police Department (Women and Child Development) celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child. Ms. Palak Goel, DSP Traffic, Chandigarh Administration, with additional charge of PCC and DCHG was the chief guest. Other guest speakers included Dr. Naresh Anand, Psychologist and Social Worker, State Legal Services Authority, Ms. Prabhjot Kaur, State Co-ordinator, Department of Social Welfare, Chandigarh administration and Ms. Namisha from Divine Education NGO.

Self-defence tactics were demonstrated by the Police team to the girl students. A plantation drive was also held on the campus to mark the occasion.

Sh. Upkar K. Sharma, President GGDSD College Society, Dr. Anirudh Joshi, General Secretary of the Society and Mr. Jatinder Bhatia, Finance Secretary of the Society graced the occasion with their honourable presence. Dr. Ajay Sharma, Principal of the college stated that the event was a step towards achieving the greater goal of gender equality and women empowerment.

The Club organised a session on ‘Combating Addiction: The Role of State and Community’ in association with Equal Opportunity Cell. The event was graced by Ms. Prabhjot Kaur Atwal, Nodal Officer, Drug Abuse, Department of Social Welfare and Mr. Anil K from Alcoholics Anonymous. Ms. Atwal apprised the audience about the causes of drug addiction and the available redressal mechanisms. Mr. Anil K shared anecdotes from his life and stated that our society still does not recognise alcoholism as a sickness.

Dr. Ajay Sharma, Principal of the college, encouraged the student audience to maintain strong will power and not be influenced by external pressures. Dr Anirudh Joshi, General Secretary GGDSD College Society and Dr. Madhu Sharma, Registrar of the college were also present on the occasion.