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Women’s Studies of Bharathiar University is the most unconventional
and a new entrant into the academia. The Centre for Women Studies
of Bharathiar University was started in December 2004 and it was
upgraded to Department of Women’s Studies in May 2008. It
has been funded by the University Grants Commission. It aims to
develop socio economic empowerment of women of all categories in
order to create a society of gender equality and social justice.
Women’s studies is a scholarly enquiry into social reality
from women's perspective and tries to find explanations and The discipline is unique in that it emerges from activism and experience and therefore underlines the connections between knowledge, experience and social transformation. Knowledge must initiate action at individual and collective levels. Women's Studies is not to be misunderstood as
some overarching critique of male perspectives. It is a discipline
that seeks to assess and challenge the interlinked oppression in
society viz. Class, Race, Caste and Gender. It seeks to rediscover
the experiences and knowledge of the marginalized sections in history
and in contemporary societies. It seeks an understanding of the
material and ideological structures of women's oppression. This
requires an understanding of the social, cultural, historical, political
and economic milieu. Thus, Women's Studies is by definition interdisciplinary. The Department of Women’s Studies aims:
Structure of the Department: Teaching Staff:
Project Staff:
Activities: As per the U.G.C. guidelines the activities of the department revolve around the following
Teaching: The Department offers M.A, M.Phil and Ph.D in Women’s Studies. It also offers three supportive courses such as Introducing Gender Studies, NGO Management, Globalization and Gender for students of other departments under CBCS followed in our University. Research:
Major Project: UGC has sanctioned amount of Rs.5, 98,200 lakhs for Major Project on “Empowerment of Women through Microfinance-A study in Nilgiri District, Tamilnadu” for a period of two years from May 2009 with Dr.M.Jeyarathnam as Principal Investigator. Project Completed: Sensitizing youth for healthy future: Education for College peers to prevent HIV/AIDS, April 2006-March 2007. Advisory Committee: Advisory Committee has been constituted following the procedure stipulated in XI plan guidelines. Board of Studies: The Board of Studies has been constituted, following the University procedure, to advise and monitor the academic matters of the Department. Network: The Department has networked with most of the Women’s Studies centres funded by UGC and NGOs such as RDO Trust, GramaVidiyal, Mahalir Thittam and so on. Training: Computer literacy Training for SHG women has been going on since 13.06.08. Around 50 members have been trained in basic computer skills. There is an approved syllabus for computer literacy training. Funded Programme from other Sources:
Outreach Inauguration of Women’s Club: 7th February 2007, University Auditorium The main purpose of the programme was to create awareness among women staff members about general health, and menopause and ways to overcome those problems. Dr.Anandhi Narain, Professor, Department of Nutrition, PSG College of Arts and Science elaborated on the nutritional values of different type of food items which the children prefer and easy method of value addition to the cooking. Gender Sensitization Seminar to the College Teachers: 12th July 2007, University Auditorium The main objective of this programme was to make
the college teachers aware of the existing social imbalance and
the need for them to realize the gender equality. Ms.Sonal Misra,
Superindent of Police, Erode stated, discrimination of the child
start at home and girls must realize and they should fight for their
rights in every walk of life. Beyond the improvement of economic
and educational status of women it is also essential to sensitize
women. She added that the life history of every successful woman
must be taken as inspiration. Gender Sensitization Seminar to the University Students: 13th July 2007, University Auditorium The purpose of the programme was to create awareness
of the existing social imbalance and the need for them to realize
the gender equality. The university students were sensitized on
the gender concepts and existing inequalities in the society at
different stages of life with regard to food, education, health,
employment etc. Legal Provisions and Women Development Schemes: 25th July 2007, Sri Sankaranarayana Mahal, Thiruvalluvar
Nagar, Vadavalli In order to create awareness about legal provisions and Women Development schemes a programme was organized. Mr.O.P Muthuraj, Deputy Superindent of Police, pleaded to the gathering that the girl children be educated to pursue future employment. The Assistant Project Officer of Mahalir Thittam Mr.S.Kandasamy elaborated on the women development schemes and provisions of Mahalir Thittam to make the women self employed. Legal Provision & Women Development Scheme for Tribal Women: 31st July 2007, Panchayat Union Middle School,
Kollimalai An awareness programme on legal provision for the tribal women of Coonoor was organized and speakers concentrated on the special land rights provisions of tribal women, need for their education and economic enhancement. Mr.N.Authinathan, District Judge focussed on special land rights for tribal women. Mr.A.P.Balachandran, District Municipal cum Judicial Magistrate, Coonoor interacted with tribal women and emphasized the need for education. Child Rights campaign in Schools: 1-10th August 2007, More than 3000 students. The objective of the programme was to make school
children aware of their rights and exercise the rights whenever
the need arises in their day to day activity either in the school,
at home or in any public place. The children were told about their
inherent right to live, freedom of expression, freedom of association,
protection of children from all forms of physical or mental violence,
rights to have nutritional diet, acquire education etc. It is necessary
to make the children realize that they are the supreme resources
of this nation. Seminar on Countering Gender Violence: 18th September 2007, University Auditorium The main objective of this programme was to make
the students aware of the necessity to counter gender violence in
different forms in the life stages of women. The chief guest Rokkaiah
Salma stated that in India customized behaviour pattern for the
women was a hurdle for women development. She asserted for a gender
equal society and also explained every day issues faced by women
in the form of family violence, violence in society, myths of violence
and how the technology displaced women in agriculture and construction
industry. Gender Perspective in Development Process: 17th and 18th June 2008, Don Basco Community college,
Kothagiri The Department of Women’s Studies organized two day awareness programme on “Gender Perspective in Development Process” on17th and 18th June 2008 at Don Basco Community College, Kothagiri. 40 Self Help Group members of affiliated to Malaivazh Makkal Iyaakam participated. The main purpose of the programme was to create awareness among the SHG women about current status of women, unequal conditions with respect to nutrition, literacy, health, employment, and various issues relating to child rights. Dr.M.Jeyarathnam, Director/Professor, Department of Women’s Studies and Miss.Sheela, Don Bosco Anbu Illam served as resource persons. Amartya Sen’s classification of various types of inequalities such as mortality inequality, natality inequality, basic facility inequality, special opportunity inequality, professional inequality, ownership inequality and household inequality were discussed. The need for parents to safeguard the girl children in the midst of increasing violence was emphasized. Child Rights, Women and Health: 24th and 25th June 2008, Udhagai Social Service
Centre, Ooty The Department of Women’s studies organized
two day awareness programme on child rights, women and health on
24th and 25th June 2008 at Udhagai Social Service Centre, Ooty.
50 Self Help Group members affiliated to USSC participated. Gender Sensitization and Child Rights: 1st and 2nd July 2008, RDO Trust, Coonoor
Personality Development Programme: 14th July 2008, Bharathiar University College of
Arts and Science, Gudular The Department of Women’s Studies organized one day programme on Personality Development on 14th July 2008 at Bharathiar University College of Arts and Science, Gudular. 320 students of Bharathiar University College of Arts and Science, Gudular attended the programme. Mrs.S.Kamalaveni, JRF served as resource person.
Various components of personality such as positive attitude, politeness,
healthy competition, creativity and value of time were focussed.
She elaborated nine ways to transform mediocre personality to magnificent
personality such as attitude adjustment, recognition of warning
signals, posture affirmation, writing down goals, commitment and
admiration of successful persons. She explained anger management
techniques and time management techniques for the benefit of college
students. Marriage Registration Act: 25th July 2008, Sri. Ramakrishna College of Arts
and Science for women, Coimbatore The Department of Women’s Studies organized one day awareness programme on Marriage Registration Act on 25th July 2008 at Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science for Women, Coimbatore. 100 students of Sri.Ramakrishna college of Arts and Science participated. S.Kausalya, Project Officer and S.Kamalaveni, JRF served as resource persons. Various advantages of marriage registration such as speedy processing of passports and visa, prevention of child marriage were highlighted. In the event of death of life partner who did not nominate for his bank deposit and life insurance policy, if helps the partner to get due right over the deposit they added. Nutrition for Women: 27th August 2008, Merchant Meeting Hall, Vadavalli `The Department of Women’s Studies organized
a one day awareness programme on Nutrition for women on 27th August
2008 at Merchants Meeting Hall, Vadavalli. 100 Self Help Group women
affiliated to Vadavalli panchayat participated. Enhancing Mental Health for Women: 19.8.08, Cherran College for Women, Tirupur The Department of Women’s Studies organized a one day awareness programme on Enhancing Mental Health for women on 19th August 2008 at Cherran College for Women, Tirupur. 120 final years students of Cherran College for women attended the programme. Dr.Mrs.M.Jeyarathnam, Director/Professor, Department
of Women’s Studies, Bharathiar University welcomed the gathering
and underlined the importance of mental health in the success of
life. Dr.Ganesan, served as resource person. Various hallmarks of
mentally healthy person such as self evaluation, maturity, regular
life, absence of extremisms, social adjustment, ability to accept
and ability to cope with stress, and responsibility were highlighted.
Various aspects which promotes mental health such as lifestyle,
counseling were discussed. Empowerment of Women through Legal Rights: 20th August 2008, Sri.Ramakrishna College for Women,
Coimbatore The Department of Women’s Studies organized one day awareness programme on Legal Rights for Women on 20th August 2008 at Sri.Ramakrishna College for Women Coimbatore. 50 NSS students from Ramakrishna College for Women participated. Mr.V.P.Sarathi, Chairperson of Human Rights, Coimbatore and Mrs.Punitha, Secretary Jananayaga Mathar Sangam served as resource persons. The main purpose of the programme was to create awareness among the students about the legal rights. The functions of National Commission for women were discussed. Various laws relating to media such as Cable Television Networks Act (1995), The Constitution of India, the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Indian Evidence Act which give protection to women to deal with offences committed against women were discussed. In addition provisions relating to marriage, dowry, domestic violence, sexual harassment were discussed. Environmental Pollution: 23rd August 2008 at Sundapalayam village The Department Women’s Studies organized an awareness programme on Environmental Pollution in collaboration with Sri.Ramakrishna College for Women on 23rd August 2008 at Sundapalayam village. 60 NSS students of Sri.Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science for women participated. Mrs.S.Kamalaveni, JRF, Mrs.S.Kausalya, Project Officer served as resource persons. She explained various types of pollution such as air pollution, water pollution, land pollution, E-waste, global warming and green house effect. The programme highlighted how women and children were worst affected by pollution. Some shocking facts about loss of glacier in Everest and Venezuela and its impact ecosystem were revealed. Elimination of Suppression of Women: 22.9.08, Thanthai Periyar Auditorium, Bharathiar
University The Department of Women’s Studies organized a seminar on Elimination of Suppression of Women on 22nd September 2008 at Thanthai periyar Auditorium. Rev. Poonambala Adigalar of Kundrakudi Aathenam, and Dr.Veeramani, Chancellor Periyar Maniammai University were the star speakers of the Seminar. Vice Chancellor of Bharathiar University recollected the dedicated service of Periyar and Ambadkar for women development in Tamilnadu and India. Rev. Poonambala Adigalar recalled how women were viewed with suspicion inspite of civilization. Women can fight against inequality, discrimination only through awareness of their rights and education. Women are mainly responsible for men’s success. Hence women empowerment through education should be emphasized. Dr.Veeramani emphasized that women were still considered to be burden and puppet and the basic rights to life and to select life partners are denied. Education is the key to women development. The Documentary film competition was organized on that occasion and eight entries were received. Documentaries entitled “Marai Porul” (hidden theme) “Manppandam” (earthern pot) “Puthumaipen” (revolutionary women) received first second and third prize respectively. Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Agriculture: 4.12.08 Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 375 women students from affiliated colleges of
Bharathiar University Dr.M.Vijayaragavan, Dr.M.Ganga, Dr.Philip Sridhar, Dr.V.Prakasam, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University professors served as resource persons. Methods of production of vemicomposting, biofertilizers, and biocomposts were explained. Some of the avenues of floriculture such as cut flower industry, Nursery industry, seed industry, natural dye industry and dry flower industry perfume industry, landscaping were highlighted. Different varities of Mushroom and steps in mushroom production such as spam production, bed production, cropping and harvest were explained. Various varieties of bees and prospects of apiary in India and marketing of honey were discussed. Awareness Programme on Women Entrepreneship Development: 21.01.09, Providence College for Women, Coonoor The Department of Women’s Studies organized one day awareness programme on Women Entrepreneship Development in collaboration with National Research Development Corporation, New Delhi on 21.01.09 at Providence College for Women, Coonoor. 120 final year women students from Nilgiri region participated. D.F Dhanraj, The Project Officer, Mahalir Thittam,
Ooty, Dr.Ramarani, The Deputy Manager NRDC, T.Palanisamy, The Lead
Bank Manager (Canara Bank), Mr.Asokan, General Manager of District
Industries Centre, Ooty, Mrs. Revathy, Coordinator RTO Trust, Coonoor
and Mrs. Sumathi successful entrepreneur served as resource persons.
NRDC receives technology from different laboratories such as CSIR, DRDO, ICAR, ICMR, Department of Bio-technology, ISRO and Central Silk Board. NRDC does a yeoman service in disseminating technologies to entrepreneurs in India. The problems usually faced by women entrepreneurs were discussed. The success of story of women entrepreneurs were narrated 15 the participants. Women and Law: 18.03.09, Multipurpose Hall, Bharathiar University The Department of Women’s Studies organized a seminar on Women and Law in collaboration with NAAC (Internal Quality Assurance Cell) on 18th March 2009 at Multipurpose Hall. 130 Bharathiar University students and staff and SHG members attended. R.Thenmozhi Advocate, Coimbatore served as resource person. Mrs.R.Thenmozhi, quoted from her experience many cases where women could not get justice under Domestic Violence Act. She also spoke about the legal implications of the constitution of sexual harassment committee in practice. Awareness programme on Wellness and Fitness: 24.02.09, St.Joseph’s College for Women,
Tirupur The Department of Women’s Studies organized one day awareness programme on Wellness and Fitness on 24.02.09 at St.Joseph’s College for Women, Tirupur and 120 women students benefited. The same programme was repeated for P.K.R College for Women as part of women’s day celebration on 04.03.09 and 120 women students attended the programme. Dr.A.Pushparajan, who served as resource person demonstrated through exercise prevention of various diseases such as blood pressure, muscle pain, asthma, diabetes, heart attack and stroke. The increasing incidence of heart attack in India is attributed to accumulation of fat content in the body. 70% of death in India occurs due to heart attack, lack of exercise and lack of awareness about nutrients. Yoga, breathing exercise, eye exercise, exercise for lungs, and aerobic exercise were demonstrated. The importance of physical exercise and nutrient food were impressed upon the women students. Seminar on Women and Media: 29.07.09, Nachimuthu Seminar Hall, Bharathiar University The Department of Women’s Studies organized one day seminar on Women and Media on 29th July 2009 at Nachimuthu Seminar hall, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. Four technical sessions on Role of Media on Women Empowerment, Portrayal of Women in Media, New Media Usage among Women and Coverage of Women’s issues in Media were conducted by experts from Media and Communication Studies such as Prof. Radha, School of Communication, G.R.D College, Prof. Dr. Natarajan, Reader, Department of Communication, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Dr. Sumathi, Reader in English, Government Arts College, Mrs. Mallika Vijayakumar, Lecturer in Media Studies, G.R.D College. The Director, Dr.M.Jeyarathnam stated that the
department felt the need for organizing this seminar as media can
play a constructive role to educate women regarding nation building
activities and safeguarding women’s rights. Village Adoption: 15.06.09, Sikarayapuram Primary School, Vadavalli The Department of Women’s Studies adopted two villages in Vadavalli Panchyat namely Sikarayapuram and Maruthapuram on 15.06.2009. Bharathiar University donated one computer for
each primary school in Sikarayapuram and Maruthapuram. The Department
of Women’s Studies organized a one day free Medical Camp in
collaboration with PSG Hospital at Maruthapuram primary school on
06.09.2009. 120 villagers were examined by the doctors. The women
were examined for different types of cancer and reproductive health
problems. Five patents were found to have symptoms of pelvic cancer
and were referred to P.S.G Hospital for further treatment. Documentation/Monograph/Publication:
Future plan: The following activities are planned for immediate future.
Contact Address:
Phone: (91) - 422- 2427623
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