Aims & Objectives

• To conduct need based gender sensitization programmes.
• To create awareness among the students on women's rights,status and to critically analyse women's issue.
• To undertake , promote and co-ordinate both fundamental and applied reasearch on women and development.

Advisory Committee

Dr Sr.Tency Varghese .P

Dr Reenu George

Dr Jibhi Bhaskaran

Dr Vanaja v.s

Academics

Saying in nutshell, under the teaching programme CWS aims at to create awareness and to make the students familiar with women's issues and women's rights and to enable them critically analyze the Women's issues from right perspectives.

I .Certificate Course in Gender Sensitization

The Centre conducts Certificate Course in Gender Sensitization for students at post graduate level. The course started during the academic year 2012 - 2013. Syllabi for this course is prepared with the help of external faculties and are regularly reviewed and updated. This course provided a basic understanding to the students about the Concept of gender, Feminist theories, Women and law, leadership and communication skills, self defense moves and reproductive health and healthy living practices with a special focus on India. The participants are evaluated on the basis of examinations.

II. Training programs

• The center conducted a free tailoring training to women between 18 and 40 years on 20th  January 2020 on wards
• UGC Centre for Women studies conducted a cloth bag & paper bag making training for housewives and paliativecare patients.The training enhanced the skills and helped them for self-employability.

• UGC Centre for Women studies in collaboration with KILA organised a three day workshop on capacity building of elected women representatives in kerala with special focus on thrissur district.The program was inagurated by Krishnankutty,Corporation Ward Councellor, thrissur on 4/12/2018.Dr.sankar(former professor & scientist,dept of social science),Rismiya(training associate at IKM),Prof.Nirmala (vice president of JCI),Mr.Jomy P L,director(IMS),Mr.Ajith Kumar Menon(KILA),Dr.Bindu R(Associate professor,Dept of English,Kerala varma College) were the resource persons.

Events / Activities

 

Inauguration and Interactive Session - 22 June 2022

 

The activities of the UGC Centre for women studies were inaugurated by Smt. Aiswarya Dhongre IPS, District Police Chief Thrissur (Rural) on 22 June 2022 in the college auditorium.  Dr Sr Beena Jose, Principal presided over the function. Smt. Aiswarya  Dhongre IPS, Mr. George Mathew, Deputy Director, Central Bureau of Communication, Government of India, Ministry of information & Broadcasting, and Dr Sr Tency Varghese, Director, UGC Centre for Women's  Studies Vimala  College, together  lighted the lamp. Dr Sr Beena Jose in her presidential address appreciated the activities of the centre. Centre for Women's  Studies is sponsored  by the University  Grants Commission  is established under XI Year  Plan and has been operational since 8th March 2010.Vimala college is the only college  in the entire state of Kerala to receive such a special  recognition. The special Guest of the programme Smt. Aishwarya Dhongre IPS, related her successful journey and provided directions for women empowerment with a concluding remark:  “Expand your wings, spread it out wherever you go”. An interactive session with students was followed.  Mr George Mathew, Deputy Director, Central Bureau of Communication also addressed the gathering. A magnificent Dance Drama on “Gandhari Vilapam” was performed by the renowned artists of Kerala Kalamandalam.

 

Gender Club Inauguration -  24 March 2022

The Gender Club @ College was inaugurated on 24 March 2022 collaborating with Snehita Gender Help Desk, Thrissur. Principal Dr Sr Beena Jose inaugurated the function. Sri P K Davis Master, District Panchayath President, Thrissur presided over the function and gave the keynote address.  Neena Maria, Service Provider, Snehita Gender Help Desk, Thrissur has given an Orientation Session on Women Empowerment and the activities of Gender Club @ College.

Reception to Stree Suraksha Navakerala Kala Jatha

The UGC CWS took initiative to give a grand reception to Vimala College on 15 March 2022. A team of 12 members from Kudumbasree Thrissur Jilla Mission performed Street Play with the theme Women, Arise. Dr. Sr. Tency Varghese P., Director, UGC CWS welcomed the gathering. Dr. Sr. Beena T. L., Vice Principal delivered the Vote of Thanks.

Certificate Course in Gender Sensitization - 4th January to 30th March 2022

The Centre conducts Certificate Course in Gender Sensitization for students at post graduate level. The course started during the academic year 2012-2013. Syllabus for this course is prepared with the help of external faculties and are regularly reviewed and updated. During this academic year this certificate course in Gender Sensitization is conducted from 4th January 2022 to 30th March 2022.

 

Mime at Townhall Thrissur for Snehita-Kudumbasree Jilla Mission - 22 March 2022

In connection with celebrations of International Women’s Day, 16 of our students attended the Seminar on the topic Beti Bachao Beti Padao with the theme Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow on 22 March 2022 at Townhall, Thrissur, organised by Kudumbasree Jilla Mission, Thrissur. Six of our students from B.Sc Second Semester Mathematics - Jestina Johny, Nejila Abubacker, Santhwana Mariya, Meera K. J. and Neelambari – performed a Mime on the need for Gender Equality. They were given trophies by the Mission.

 District Level session on LegalAwareness along with Kerala Women’s Commission - 25^th September 2021

In association with the Department of Sociology, UGC Centre for Women’s organized a District Level session on LegalAwareness along with Kerala Women’s Commission on 25^th September 2021. Adv Shiji Shivaji made us to understand the importance of womanhood and added that instead of accepting the subordination we as women have to question it and also try to overcome the gender gap.  Adv KR Sumesh started the session by quoting that “losers always think the problems and winners always think the solution”. He also addressed the current issues of the womanhood also gave us legal awareness about dowry prohibition act, IPC Section 495 304B,509 etc. the session was very effective and informative, which helped us to be aware of our rights. An interactive session was followed in which all our queries and doubts were cleared by Sir KR Sumesh as well as Adv Maala.

Leadership Skill Development for Empowering Women - 25^th September 2021

UGC CWS in association with the Alumnae Association of Vimala College arranged an orientation programme for the mothers of Third Semester UG and PG students 25^th September 2021 via Google meet. Ms. Sheela Raphael, Psychologist and Family Counsellor led the session on “Role Model: The Power of a Mother”. An effective interactive session that followed clarified the doubts of the participants. The resource person expressed her willingness to help in times of need. It was highly fruitful and well appreciated by the participants.

  Certificate course on Gende Sensitization - January -March 2021 

 Objectives

• To sensitize the students regarding the issues of gender inequalities prevailing in society.

• To illuminate the learners on the gender perspective • To introduce gender sensitization and its challenges

• To encourage capacity building among the students to facilitate them to engage in policy decisions on gender issues in all fields of life

Modules:-

(I) Introduction to Gender Studies Sex and Gender- Definition- Nature, Scope and various dimensions of gender

(II) Feminism-An outline Feminism and Patriarchy Major Feminist Movements Gender and Society Man -Woman relationship Women in Politics

(lll) LGBTQ

(lV) Gender and Law Gender and Labour Women and Law Women and Law

(V) Practical skills Film/Documentary Screening , Field Visits, Group discussion and debate, Awareness Songs, Street plays, theatre and presentation skills with gender themes for personality development, TED talks to promote gender equality

 Self Defence Training in Martial Arts - 15^th - 20^th March 2021 

 UGC Centre for Women’s Studies Vimala College (Autonomous) Thrissur conducted a Self Defence Training in Martial Arts. The training commenced on 15 March 2021 and ended on 20 March 2021. Owing to the pandemic situation, only 35 candidates were selected for the training.  Jenish J, Main instructor (Black belt II Dan shotokan karate, kalaripayattu instructor) and Sruthy P S (Assistant instructor) Brown senior in shotokan karate from Veda Academy, Mullassery were the trainers for the week.   The training was given from 1.00pm to 3pm. at Amphi theatre, Vimala College. The training included

 1. Stretchings and exercises

 2. Techniques

 The techniques taught were

 1. Punches

 2. Kicks

 3. Joint manipulation- Finger, Wrist, elbow, neck

 4. Teaching the vulnerable points - Eyes, neck, nose, groin

 5. Simple day today props like Torchlight, pen, umbrella, shawl as weapons.

National Level Workshop on Gender and Research Writing -   2 -6 February 2021 

 Resourse Persons:

Dr Amrita Bannerjee, Assistant Professor at St Joseph’s College, Bengaluru. On 02-02-2021

             Topic : “Women in Nationalist Historiography: Researching the Archives.."

Dr Varsha K, Asst. Professor, Department of English, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu.on 03-02-2021

             Topic :  "Writing a Research Paper for Publication."

Dr.AnusreeSreenivasan, Assistant Professor, Department of Linguistics and Contrastive Study of Tribal Languages,

       Indira   Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak.on 04-02-2021

             Topic : "Ethical Considerations in Research Writing- Special Focus on Language and Gender."

 Dr.Arunlal K,Assistant Professor, Department of English, Government College, Mokeri.on 05-02-2021

             Topic : " Post Feminism- Introductory Reflections"                   

Dr. MuhammedAfzal P, Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani on 06-02-2021

              Topic : "Gender and Popular Culture"

08 March 2021 - International Women's Day -" SHE FEST"

                On march 8th, the UGC Centre for Women Sudies in vimala college (Autonomous) Thrissur celebrated  International Women’s Day - SHE FEST.. The inauguration was on online and it was open to the public and students. . The keystone speaker was Dr. Soya Joseph. Dr soya joseph a political activist and guest lecturer in english department of Vivekananda college, and she was the mahila congress state secretary and active in anti CAA protest and farmers protest. The speaker on the programme spoke about a motto that is ‘choose to challenge ‘. Nowadays women face a lots of problem and she wants to break the chain and the public gives more importance to transgenders . She fest a one week programe thus inaugrated by Dr. Soya joseph.

In connection with International Women's Day  various  competitions  like Poster making, Cloth flex painting, Debate, Quiz , Flash Mob  and Exhibition cum sale was arranged in different dates.

 

 19 January 2021: UGC Centre for Women Studies organized a webinar on the topic “Academia & Gender Sensitization”   at 2.00 pm.  The Resource Person was Dr Mallika A Nair, Assistant Professor, Department of English,Vimala College (autonomous), Thrissur. The  coordinator of this event was Dr Sr Tency Varghese, Director, UGC  CWS, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur.  The programme stared with a prayer by Anjali Biju and Mariya C.J of 4^th  semester Malayalam welcomed the gathering. The programme was hosted by Emilda of English Department. Graduate  and Post Graduate students  from various steams  and teaching  faculty were present in the session.The focus area of the webinar was the importance of economic independence of women and  to make use of our education and how an educated community should be.

06 November 2020: UGC Centre for Women Studies organized a webinar on the topic “Gender Dimensions of Closure of Higher Educational Institutions During Covid-19 Pandemic”  at 11.00 am.  The Resource Person was Ms Layana Anand, HoD of Women Studies, University of Calicut.  The programme started with a prayer by Ms Samyuktha of S4 BA Functional English.  Dr Reenu George (CWS Organising Committee Member) welcomed the gathering.   The aim of this webinar was to communicate about the impact of COVID 19 upon various educational sectors.  Ms Layana anand discussed about the issues faced by the students as well as the teachers like lack of network connectivity, burden of work,  limitations of online learning and teaching etc. 

 

05 November 2020 : UGC Centre for Women Studies organized a webinar on the topic “Enhancing Women Mental Health: Psycho Social & Futuristic Dynamic” on  05 November 2020 at 11.00 am.  The Resource Person was Dr Milu Maria Anto, clinical Psychologist and HoD of Psychology, Prajyoti Nikethan College, Pudukad.  The programme started with a prayer by Ms Jofiya Francis, UGC CWS Research Assistant.  Dr Sr Tency Varghese, Director, UGC  CWS, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur  welcomed the gathering.   Ms Saranya, Student, BA English Language & Literature compered the Programme.The  webinar aimed at Enhancing Women Mental Health through various measures. 

 

 04 November 2020 : UGC Centre for women studies ,Vimala  College (autonomous) , Thrissur  organized a state level webinar  on “Ensuring Gender Empowerment During Covid . The resource person of the webinar was Smt. LIDA JACOB  IAS. The webinar started at 11.00am. The  programme started with a prayer by Miss Annmary.  Dr. Sr.Tency Varghese ,Director ,UGC Centre for women studies Vimala College welcomed the gathering. Dr.Sr. Beena Jose , Principal Vimala College, delivered the felicitation. Graduate  and Post Graduate students  from various steams  and teaching  faculty were present in the session. The focus area of the presentation was the  present situation of women on the basis of  covid -19 pandemic.

30 October 2020 : UGC Centre for women studies ,Vimala  College (autonomous) , Thrissur  in collaboration with Field Outreach Bureau, Government of India,Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, KAU, Vellanikkara, Thrissur  organized a state level webinar  on “ Nutri Village For Ensuring Nutritional Security”  on 30 ^th October 2020.  Dr Sumaan K.T ,Programme coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, KAU, Vellanikkara, Thrissur  and Smt.Shameena.S , Assistant Professor, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, KAU, Vellanikkara, Thrissur were the resource person of that session.   Graduate  and Post Graduate students  from various steams  and teaching  faculty were present in the session.  The webinar started at 2.00pm .Miss Saranya P.S introduced the webinar and welcomed the gathering. The  programme started with a prayer by Sr. Dilna.Dr. Sr.Tency Varghese ,Director ,UGC Centre for women studies Vimala College addressed the gathering. Miss. Anlin Mary ,MA Malayalam,  welcomed the resource person The focus area of the presentation was the  creation of nutri villages through nutrigardens in each home. It aimed at covering the message to cultivate organic, safe-to- eat food materials in our garden space.

 

19 August 2020 : Inauguration and lnternational Webinar on Covid -19 and Gender based Violence. The  resourse person of the webinar was Dr.Notando Hadebe,Senior Lecturer,St.Augustine College,Johannesburg,South Africa.The webinar started at 1.30 pm. Dr. Sr Tency Varghese P, Director ,UGC Centre for women studies Vimala College welcomed the gathering. Dr.Sr. Beena Jose, Principal Vimala College, delivered the felicitation.  The focus area of the presentation was the  present situation of women on the basis of  covid -19 pandemic. The topic was "Change in Gender Roles During Pandemic" which helped students to gain a wider perspective on the same. The topics covered were Gender stereotypes, Problems which women face in work, discrimination in wage, and economical hardships during pandemic, domestic violence towards women, how social media treats women these days etc. She tried to exemplify some of such situations from our own surroundings. 

 

 

 

Research

Purely academic as well as action research are being encouraged by the Centre

Completed Projects

• Safety for women and girls in public places; a strategy for promoting equity and inclusion of women
• A sociological study on the empowerment of women through MGNREGS programme with special reference to Engandiyoor Panchayath
• A comparative study on the restrictions on married and unmarried women in family in Thrissur district
• A study on the awareness of mother about the role of family in child development
• A sociological study on women in agriculture and their problem with special reference to Thrissur district
• A sociological study on the feminization of poverty in the coastal areas
• Impact of social networking sites among the youth in Thrissur district
• Attitude of Women towards In - migrant labourers in Kerala
• Adoption experience and impact on adoptive mothers with special refernce to thrissur district by Irine jhonson
• A study on quality of worklife of salesgirls in textile retail outlets by Niranjana M.
• A study on the impact of socio-economic statusof women entreprenurs in small scale industries by Jishidha P.R
• Motivational factors and swot analysis of women entreprenurs in thrissur district by Shisma Kuriakose.
• A study on women empowerment through kudumbashree units with special reference to Adat grama panchayath by Selbi Davis K.
• A study on knowledge attitude and practice on reproductive health among adolescent girls who are involved in the tribal community with special reference to Govt.Vocational Higher Secondary School,Agali by Archana R
• A study on knowledge ,attitude and personal beliefs on immunization among women living in coastal area by Greety
• A study on health seeking behaviour among elderly women by Riya Shaji
• Awareness about menstrual health and hygiene among women in slum in Thrissur, by Krishnendhu K B