Gender Inequality requires change in mindset

Chandigarh Chapter of PRCI organised a panel discussion as a part of its Daughters' Day celebration on "Gender Inequality: Communication Strategies" on 8th September at Chandigarh Press Club.

The Panelists

The panelists comprised of Mr. Vivek Atray, managing director, HARTRON and Director IT Haryana; Mr. Man Mohan Singh Kohli, Chairman CII-Chandigarh Council; Dr. K.K. Rattu, Station Director, Doordarshan Kendra, Dehradun; Dr. Archana R. Singh, former chairperson School of Communication Studies, Panjab University; and Ms Poonam Batth, Project Head 4G, Punjab.

Mr. Manmohan Singh, Chairman, CII Chandigarh Council

Mr. Man Mohan Singh Kohli, opening the discussions, lamented the growing social dichotomy in which the daughter who is being reverred in many homes and where the goddesses are paid obesiance to, are getting maltreated and even killed in the wombs.  There is a need, he remarked to change the mindset of the large populace through effective communication.

Endorsing the growing gender inequality despite various efforts being made to give equal opportunities to women in the society today, Mr. Vivek Atray underlined the need for sensitising all sections of the society, and every possible media channels should be used with responsibility to convey the right message to the society.

Mr. Vivek Atray, IAS, Managing Director, HARTRON
& Director IT, Haryana

The noted literateur and head of Doordarshan at Dehradun, Dr. K.K. Rattu expressed consternation at the 'cultural tsunami' that is wrecking havoc on the social fabric with all moral values and cultural finnesse being thrown to wind with the unbridled use of social media. The new channels of communication are shaping the thought process of the youth which is highly dangerous and unintentionally creating an irreparable divide in our society.

Dr. Archana R. Singh, however, demonstrated the way a simple photograph of a woman can be published in numerous ways through various photoshop treatments and technology, which continues to widen the chasm between genders.  She said that ICT must be deployed more effectively so that the communication is inclusive amongst all sections of society, especially the women in rural areas so that awareness can empower them.

The new generation of girls augur well for a bright future for the society, remarked Poonam Batth, who believed that change can be brought about in the society through their awareness. 

Renuka Salwan, Chairperson, PRCI said, that its strange that in a country where women are coming out of their cacoons to walk shoulder to shoulder with men and reaching newer peaks of professional excellence,gender inequality still reigns in our society. Education and participation in decision making are important factors in bringing lasting change in which professional bodies, NGO's, Government, Media and corporate need to work collectively 

PRCI's northern region vice president, Charanjit Singh, remarked that for professional communicators especially those in the field of media must be careful in their choice of words and representations which have far reaching impact on the psyche of the people and therefore, entails far-reaching responsibility and accountability towards society in all their communication.  The inequality can be bridged through making ICT affordable in the interiors of our country, he added.

Dr Uma Sharma, vice president, Mr Lalit Sharma, Secretary, Mr Narvijay Yadav, Joint Secretary, of the Chapter actively participated in the discussions.