To foster interdisciplinary dialogues for a more inclusive and informed understanding of gender across academic and societal domains, the Shaikh-ul-Aalam Centre for Multidisciplinary Studies (SACMS), Kashmir University (KU inaugurated a two-day multilingual international seminar Wednesday here.
Academics, scholars and students from national and international institutes attended the seminar titled: ‘Gender: An Interdisciplinary Perspective,’ fostering a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives.
Dean, School of Social Science, KU, Prof Mohammad Yousuf Ganai, highlighted the necessity of approaching gender from diverse perspectives.
“Gender becomes a buzzword in many areas especially in research circles and there is a need to look at ‘Gender’ through different perspectives vis-à-vis religion, sufism, social justice, judiciary, language, literature, feminism, theological ecofeminism, discourse, deconstruction, women’s education and many other such ideas,” he said.
In her Keynote address, Senior Faculty, School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, Dr Garima Dalal, emphasised the importance of higher educational institutions in fostering gender inclusivity setting the tone for the discourse.
“Our universities need to integrate inclusive policies and conduct awareness sessions that contribute significantly to building a more equitable society,” she said.
Coordinator, Iqbal Institute of Culture and Philosophy, KU, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Ganai emphasised the timely significance of the seminar and underscored the valuable insights that religious teachings can bring to the discourse.
He said, “The seminar envisions formulating strategies to seamlessly integrate interdisciplinary perspectives on gender into educational curricula.”
Chairman, SACMS, KU, Prof Aadil Amin Kak termed the seminar as a “distinctive journey” into gender exploration and urged the participants to reshape the comprehension of gender.
“This seminar is positioned as a catalyst for transformative change, promoting diversity and dismantling barriers that sustain inequality,” he added.
The inaugural session was followed by two technical sessions wherein scholars from various disciplines presented papers (both in offline/online mode).
Faculty, SACMS, Dr Saltanat conducted the seminar proceedings, while Research Fellow, SACMS, Dr Ifshana Qayoom presented the vote of thanks.
Faculty, SACMS, Dr Muhammad Ilham coordinated the whole event.