Three-day int'l meet on gender issues begins

Patna: A galaxy of academicians, including economists and social scientists, gathered at Magadh Mahila College here on Sunday to attend a three-day international conference on gender issues. The conference is being jointly organised by the Centre for Gender Studies (CGS) and department of philosophy, Magadh Mahila College.
Sociologist Hetukar Jha elaborated the concept.Jha is the chief patron of CGS which was set up in Bihar eight years ago. Another prominent historian and former HoD of history department, Patna University, Surendra Gopal was also present in the conference.
Vishwa Mohan Jha of Delhi University presented a keynote address on the topic from historical perspective. The first session was chaired by, Kapil Kumar, director of Indira Gandhi Centre for Freedom Struggle Studies, New Delhi while principal secretary, agriculture, Vijoy Prakash and IPS officer Vikas Bhaibav presented their papers.
"The purpose of this conference is to understand the gender issues from different viewpoints. It is also an opportunity to improve the understanding of problems in other disciplines and help broaden our vision in this area," said Avinash Kumar Jha, secretary of CGS, a non-profit organisation.
Avinash said the main objective of the conference was to provide a common platform to experts to exchange ideas and innovate strategies regarding gender issues.
During the remaining two days, topics including women in politics, conflict zones and women, law and gender inequality, gender and education, sexuality: public & private, media and gender, women: literature and history, women in art, music and film, gender inequality and health, gender and science, gender and environment, women and economic development, women and sanitation and sustainable development would be discussed.
BJP MP Ashwini Chaubey was the guest of honour. Sonal Singh of MMC welcomed the guests.