After a hiatus of three years, it was a delight to participate at the off-line, 9th GWS International Conference, 2022, held from July 28-29, at National University of Singapore Society, Singapore. The response was overwhelming as over 51 participants (including virtual ) from 24 countries participated at the conference.
The conference began with the host, Dr. Prabhath Patabendi welcoming the participants and providing a brief overview of the sessions and logistics regarding the conference. This was followed by two most pertinent key note addresses by Dr. Madhu Sharan and Dr. Mitchelle Phillip. While Dr. Sharan spoke on ‘Achieving Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in Post Pandemic Situations,’ and gave a detailed account of how women of one of the largest NGOs, Hand in Hand India, addressed the multiple social and economic issues during the pandemic to achieve gender equality; Dr Philip provided an insight on ‘Gendered Responses to the Post-Pandemic Phase Change Among College Students in Mumbai.’
The first session was dedicated to discussing different aspects of ‘Women and Society,’ and was chaired by Dr. Michelle Phillip. Interesting insights and thought provoking discussions on topics related to political leadership in local governments in Tanzania (Dr Makalanga); issues relating to pursuance of higher education in Nepal (Sharmila Shyangtan); women’s role in household decision making among Indonesian oil palm smallholders (Dr Diana Chalil); women’s employment and its effects on domestic abuse in India (Kajal); citizen’s agency as a woman (Violet Alinda) and role of government policies in changing status of women in India by Dr Alka and Meeenal Sahoo marked the session.
This was followed by the post lunch session on ‘Gender Equality in Different Counties,’ chaired by Dr. Madhu Sharan. Papers on ‘75 Years of Men’s Independence; Gendered and Sexual Inequalities in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,’ by Dr. Afiya Zia; ‘Gender and Social Inclusion in Bank of Papua New Guinea,’ by Elizabeth Genia; ‘Post Displacement Effects on Attitude Towards Gender Roles of Rohingya Women,’ by Minakshi Keeni; ‘Contribution of Vegetable Farming to Livelihood Outcomes among Female Youth in Dodoma City, Tanzania,’ by Dr. Anna E. Maselle, provided great learning and valuable perspective on the session theme. The day ended by deliberating issues related to varied aspects of Women’s Rights with papers presented by Dr Rebecca Irons (UK), Ms. Twinkle Malukani (India) and Ms. Marie Nanyanzi (Uganda).
The second day began on a illuminating theme of ‘Emerging Studies in Gender and Women Studies,’ chaired by Sharmila Shyangtan (Nepal). Dr. Nuzha Alhuzail (Israel) began the day with a highlighting issues of belongingness of educated young Beouin men to their villages, which was followed by Benjamin Campbell (Australia) discussing the topic of mindful masculinity. Ms. Ishita Sehgal from India talked about ‘Reclaiming Sexual Pleasure,’ through a study of female agency in a post pandemic world. The session ended with Lyen Krenz Yap (Philippines), taking us through the topic of ‘Double Isolation,’ of international students in Taiwan during the covid quarantine periods.
Multiple aspects of ‘Dynamics of Feminism’ were discussed and chaired by Dr. Nuzha Alhuzail in the second session with papers presented by Dr. Dustie Spencer (USA) who spoke on feminism struggles in South Korea. Prof Aya Kitamura talked about Mothers under crises in Japan, which was followed by Riho Nagayama (Japan) discussing interpretations of providing beauty practices and its relationship with customers. The session ended with Ruti Sela (Israel) highlighting the issue of Extraterritorial Feminism.
Post lunch session, chaired by Dr. Makalanga, was fruitfully spent deliberating issues of Violence against Women and Other studies. Dr Prasita Mukherjee (India) presented a paper on ‘Empowering the Subaltern,’ that discussed the re-representation of violated victims from particular Indian short stories. Mia Hyun from UK presented interesting findings on Violence against Women in ASEAN on Governance conditions for policy reforms. This was followed by Abeer Zeibak Haddad (Israel) presenting a very powerful short film on ‘Our Silence is a License to Murder.’
The conference ended with a stimulating panel discussion on ‘Challenges & Issues in Post Pandemic Recovery Process: in the Context of Vulnerable Girls & Women,’ that was moderated by Dr. Madhu Sharan and Dr. Michelle Philip. Panelists included Dr. Spencer, Dr. Alhuzail, Dr. Chalil, Dr. Makalanga and Prof. Kitamura, who discussed the several interrelated issues enveloping the theme. Closing remarks were provided by Dr. Sharan and Dr. Philip.
The conference concluded by Dr. Prabhath Patabendi thanking the participants for their active participation and for a most engaging, thought provoking and fruitful conference. On behalf of the conference committee I, Dr. Madhu Sharan, would like thank the organizers and participants for this wonderful offline conference and for excellent presentations and deliberations on pertinent themes engulfing the varied, interlinked aspects of gender and women studies!!
Dr. Madhu Sharan,
President, Hand in Hand, India.