Women's Development Cell

Women’s Development Cell (WDC) of Hindu College has been functioning since 2006. This Cell, a mandated body as per Section 3.2 (15) of UGC Guidelines, is meant to lay the foundation against the patriarchy and work towards building a better society which accepts the maxims of equality. It is committed to nurture the strength of women students as well as to create a sensitized environment leading to gender equality. It attempts to sensitize and raise awareness of gender discrimination, women's rights, and empowerment concerns among the student and teaching communities. It is an intersectional cell that works towards creating a positive environment in the college campus, towards the upliftment of the marginalized communities and towards the alleviation of people from all walks of life. In the past, it has successfully organized sessions on female foeticide, sexual harassment, besides organizing self-defense workshop in association with Delhi Police. The Cell endeavours to involve both male and female students in its information dissemination and sensitization activities, so as to foster a healthy dialogue based on mutual trust, respect and co-operation. Thus the human resource development and awareness programmes on issues relating to gender discrimination, women’s rights and empowerment are key functions of the Women Development Cell. Gender equality and the empowerment of women lie at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals, and they are vital to fully realizing the rights and potential of all persons. The Women Development Cell of Hindu College is therefore mandated to work towards such processes based on the recognition that women and other people at the margins are not victims who need saving and protection, rather they must be empowered and recognized for their capability.
Faculty Advisor
Prof. Rachna Singh

Office Bearers (2023-24)
President: Subhana Nazif and Priyansha Singh Rathore
Vice President: Rishabh Arya
General Secretary: Namyata and Sunil Kumar
Treasurer: Nishita Yadav

      
Links to our social media pages are given below.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/wdc_hindu_college?igshid=MmJiY2I4NDBkZg==
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/wdchindu

 

Activities at a Glance

We kicked off our offline academic session of ’22 with a lecture on ‘Psychoanalysis and Questions of Gender Justice’ by Ms. Mamtha Karolil of Ambedkar University, Delhi on 20th April 2022 in the conference hall of our college. The lecture engaged with the concept of gender justice deploying the lens of psycho-analysis or, more generally, psychology. In the span of one and half hours the production and construction of concepts of gendered subjectivity, relational power and gender, bodily ego and gender and sexuality were discussed!

 

'Psychoanalysis and Questions of Gender Justice’ by Mamtha Karolil

The most awaited Pride Parade happened on 22nd September 2022, on the college premises, in collaboration with the Hindu College Queer Collective with Dr Dhiren Borisa as the chief guest. Dr Borisa is a queer activist, an academician, a poet and an urban sexual geographer. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Jindal Global Law School, Haryana. His work sheds light on the caste, class, and gender hierarchies inherent in queer spaces. He is also an honorary visiting fellow at School of Geography, Geology and Environment at University of Leicester, UK. We are honoured for our association with Dr Dhiren Borisa.

The WDC conducted a seminar where Dr Shefali Agarwal expressed the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness specific to the socio-economic landscape of India. Routine checkups and raising awareness in both rural and urban spheres are key to breast cancer awareness and to ensure that an early identification and timely treatment can save lives. Dr Agarwal urged that it is vital for women to attain financial independence and autonomy in order to retain control over their own health and medical treatments. It is only through advancement in gender equality and liberty that Indian women can fully enjoy the development in medicine and treatment.

On 7th November, in collaboration with the Film Appreciation Society of Hindu College, WDC conducted a film screening of ‘A Diary’s First Page’ directed by Hriday Rao Chauhan. Hriday Rao Chauhan is an independent filmmaker based out of Delhi. Mr. Chauhan’s style primarily comprises conversational writing that explores human emotion and conflict. The movie made a deep dive into individuals with their own personal conflicts exploring vast and complex themes like sexuality, gender, social stigmas and stereotypes. The movie was an opportunity for the participants to get to know more about one’s conflicts and battles. The screening took place at the Seminar hall of the campus followed up by a discussion with Mr. Chauhan by the moderators from both societies.

In January 2023, WDC Hindu College, in collaboration with WDC Miranda House, organized a two-day discussion session on the book, “EWS: The Quota to End All Quotas”. The event helped the attendees to know more about the nuanced concept of reservation and try to understand the reservation on an economic basis and its repercussions. The event was a huge success for participants who were looking forward to learning and unlearning.

EWS: The Quota to End All Quotas

We conducted a speaker session on 28th February, 2023 on ‘Portrayal of Women and the Gazes it invokes: Reflections on the Colonial Monographs of Tribes in Northeast India’ by Dr Avitoli G Zhimo in collaboration with the North East Cell of Hindu College.

SWABHIMAN

Swabhiman is a flagship event organized by the WDC to promote gender equality and empower women. It is a platform for women to come together, share their experiences, and learn from each other. The event includes workshops, seminars, panel discussions, and cultural programs. Swabhiman aims to provide women with the tools they need to overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.
The logo is a representation of the intersectionality of feminism and the need to challenge beauty standards that harm women's self-image as the name of the fest is SWABHIMAN.

Swabhiman, or self-respect, is a basic human right which has historically been reserved for the dominant genders, races, religions, classes and castes. Seeking inspiration from Nangeli, who by chopping off her own breasts led a one-person revolution against the discriminatory practice of breast tax where women were compelled to pay taxes according to their breast size. It was a statement on how when rights are not given, they are taken, even seized. It served as a reminder of how one person can make a difference and each story can inspire others.