Akashvani, Hyderabad is celebrating India’s G20 Presidency by conducting a series of programmes highlighting the G20 focus areas. As part of the series, Akashvani, Hyderabad organised a one-day symposium on “EMPOWER20” on Women Empowerment on 24th August 2023 in collaboration with Centre for Women’s Studies, School of Social Sciences, University of Hyderabad at the Auditorium, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad.
The Programme started with welcome and introduction by Prof. K. Suneetha Rani, Head, Centre for Women’s Studies. She referred to the complexity of intersectional identities and affirmed that Centre for Women’s Studies looks at its every collaboration as an intervention towards gender-transformative initiatives. Mr V. Udaya Shankar Head of Programmes, Akashvani, Hyderabad made opening remarks on the need to fill the gaps in achieving social empowerment. Prof B. J. Rao . Vice Chancellor, University of Hyderabad, and Chief guest of the Programme, complimented the organisers of the symposium for conducting an insightful programme with diverse topics and distinguished speakers. He observed that we have been striving towards women empowerment for the past seventy five years but still it is a long way to go. Prof. Jyotirmaya Sharma, Dean, School of Social Sciences highlighted the significance of plurality in achieving empowerment.
Five women achievers, who are tirelessly working towards empowering the stakeholders in their respective fields, shared their views and experiences with the audience. Smt. Badugula Sumathi (IPS), DIG, Women Safety Wing spoke on women-led empowerment while Ms. Ekta Bahl, Partner, Samvad Partners, spoke on gender sensitisation at workplace from a legal perspective. Dr Shantha Thoutam, Chief Innovation Officer of Telangana State emphasised the need to close the digital gender divide, followed by Ms Vyjayanthi Vasantha Mogili, a Transgender Rights activist, who stressed on the economic and social inclusion of trans women. Ms Narsamma, Manager of Sangham Radio, Zaheerabad, presented her story on the first women’s community radio that spearheaded rural development in Zaheerabad. The session ended with a vote of thanks by Ms Nihara Kanety, Programme Executive, Akashvani, Hyderabad.
The session was followed by an electrifying fusion music performance by Peri Thyagaraju and his team. This Programme was broadcasted live from on 101.9 FM and was simultaneously live streamed. It is available on AIR Hyderabad YouTube channel.