B. H. College Women’s Cell
Introduction
B. H. College Women’s Cell is a pioneer sub-organization within the college constituted for women empowerment within the college and outside. It endeavours to put forward the women’s policy in general to promote the well being of the female students, teaching and non-teaching women staff of the college. The cell is also responsible to undertake the awareness programs on gender sensitization, women rights and women empowerment. The cell organizes various seminars, workshops, lectures on different occasions inviting experienced resource persons from different fields of expertise. It also undertakes outreach programmes in nearby villages and schools for gender sensitization and awareness. Nowadays, the cell not only involves the female students and teachers in its activities, but also ensures participation of male students and teachers to induce the sense of equal learning and cooperation.
Aim and objectives
1. To build a gender sensitive campus and induce sense of mutual trust and respect between both the genders.
2. To develop self confidence of women and educate about women related laws.
3. To create social awareness about the problems of women and gender discrimination and finding their solutions.
4. To assert the importance of economic, social, racial and gender equality.
5. To define and discuss women’s role in the society and provide leadership to the students in this regard.
6. To develop multidisciplinary approach for the overall personality development of students.
7. To organize seminars, workshops, lectures, etc relating to women development.
8. To prevent sexual harassment at workplace and to promote general well-being of female students, teaching and non-teaching staff through counseling by experts.
History of Women’s Cell, B.H. College, Howly
The Women’s Cell of B.H. College was formed on the recommendation of ACTA. One of the resolutions passed at the 53rd Conference of ACTA was the establishment of Women’s Cells in the colleges of Assam. Some of the main objectives of the Women’s Cell were to raise social awareness among the educated as well as uneducated people of the society, to celebrate Children’s Day and World International Women’s Day on 8th March every year. In response to this call of ACTA, a Women’s Cell was established at B.H. College too in December 2007. Usha Das was the first Secretary of the Women’s Cell which was established under the leadership of the then Principal in Charge Dr. Kunja Kusum Kakati, senior professor Phul Kumari Kalita and Sashiprabha Goswami. The then HoD of Department of Education, Dr. Bhanu Nath was the joint Convener of the Women’s Cell of ACTA Barpeta Zone. From 2007 to 2013, Usha Das kept the Women’s Cell in an active form by celebrating Women’s Day in nearby villages and also conducting programs on women’s protection with the help of the members of the Women’s Cell. On 13th February 2013, Dr. Sashiprabha Goswami restructured the Women’s Cell at a meeting chaired by her.
Dr. Bhanu Nath was the President and Bagsmrita Bhagawati was the Secretary of the newly formed committee of the Women’s Cell which was formed under some specific rules and regulations. Vice President Renu Hazarika, Assistant Secretary Suruchi Singh and the other members of Women’s Cell give it a new form with their full cooperation and support. From 2013, it has been decided that the term of the committee will be of two years.
Members
Name
Designation
Dr. Rajkumari Das (Session: 2016-17 & 2017-18)
Secretary
Dr. Dhira Bhattacharjee (Session: 2016-17 & 2017-18)
President
Dr. Nirmali Malakar (Session: 2018-19 & 2019-20)
Secretary
Mrs. Sashi Prava Goswami (Session: 2018-19 & 2019-20)
President
Dr. Padma Sarkar (Session: 2020-21 & 2021-22)
Secretary
Dr. Bhanu Nath (Session: 2020-21 & 2021-22)
President
Dr. Jinakshi Chutia (Session: 2022-23 & 2023-24)
Secretary
Dr. Renu Hazarika (Session: 2022-23 & 2023-24)
President
All the female faculties of the institution are the members of the Women Cell
Faculties of all the streams
Events
Name of the Event
Description
Supported Document
Celebration of International Women’s Day, date: 08.03.2016
Distinguished Medical Practitioner, writer & Social Worker, Dr. Priyambada Das graced the occasion as Resource Person who delivered lecture on duties of mothers towards the children. Extempore Speech and Essay Writing competitions were organized amongst the students.
Celebration of International Women’s Day, date: 08.03.2017
As a part of celebration of International Women’s Day, Quiz, Essay Writing and Poster making competitions were held amongst the students.
Celebration of International Women’s Day, date: 08.03.2018
The event was organized at “Tapoban: The Child Welfare Society” at Pathsala wherein an interactive session was held with the divyangjan children. The children were also provided with learning aids, sports goods and food items by the Women Cell
Celebration of International Women’s Day, date: 08.03.2019
The event was celebrated at nearby Hatapara Mathura Mohan Brahma LP School wherein innovative and entertaining competitions were held amongst the school children to bring about mental and social developments of children.
Seminar on “Women empowerment and women related issues”, Date: 09.02.2022. Attended by 112 participants.
Following issues were discussed:
1. Different facets of sexual assault on women, by Smt. Usha Das
2. Women empowerment and ill effects of Dowry system, by Dr. Rodali Talukdar
3. Gender inequalities and way to its solutions, by Dr. Bagsmrita Bhagawati
4. Constitutional and legal provisions for women and need for self-defence, by Dr. Jinakshi Chutia
Celebration of International Women’s Day, date: 08.03.2022
Organised at Madhya Howly High School, Ganakpara, Barpeta. Keynote lecture on the theme, “Relevance of gender equality in Assam for a sustainable future” was delivered by Smt Bhupali Pathak Choudhury, Head Teacher of GNB Memorial High School, Barpeta Road. Members of women’s self help groups were amongst the target audiences.
Lecture on women empowerment and career opportunities, date: 14.06.2022
Smt. Lakhimi Dutta, ACS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Barpeta district was present as the Resource Person. The program was attended by 224 nos. of faculty members and the students. Besides speaking on various issues of women empowerment in details, the Resource Person gave an informative and inspiring lecture on various career options and preparation for various competitive examinations for the benefits of the students. At the end of the lecture, there was an interactive session of the students with the senior administrative officer.
12th Convocation of Women of Assam College Teachers’ Association, Dhubri, dated 22.10.2022
Dr. Jinakshi Chutia, Secretary, B.H. College Women’s Cell represented the college in the 12th Convocation of Women of Assam College Teachers’ Association, held at Bhola Nath College, Dhubri on 22.10.2022 along with two other members.
A Book in Assamese, titled “Artha Samajik Prexapatat Namoni Asamar Naari” (The women of Lower Assam in Socio-economic context) which was published under the aegis of B.H. College Women’s Cell was formally released in a ceremony held at Seminar Hall, B.H. College.
Celebration of International Women’s Day, date: 08.03.2023
On March 8th 2023, International Women’s Day was observed in the Seminar Hall of B.H.College, Howly under the aegis of the B.H. Collge Women’s Cell. The theme of the meeting, “Digit ALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”, remained the same as set forth by the United Nations Organisation. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Rodali Talukdar, seniormost member of B.H. College Women’s Cell. Dr. Jinakshi Chutia, Secretary of B.H. College Women’s Cell, outlined the purpose of the meeting. The meeting’s Keynote Speaker, Dr. Nabajit Das, Assistant Professor discussed women’s empowerment in relation to nations of different parts of the world viz. Vietnam and Kenya. He exhorted the students who were present at the event to develop self-learning and independence in every field. Another speaker at the event, Ms. Bidisha Duwarah, Assistant Professor, Dept. of English delivered an online audio lecture emphasizing the value of digital learning. She also exhorted the students to educate their own families and neighbours about digital technologies. She also talked about digital equity for women. The students were urged by Mrs. Usha Das, Associate Professor, Dept. of Assamese, to develop their digital literacy and also recommended to read online journals which are available free of cost. Prof. Sailen Kakati, Associate Professor, Dept. of Economics also motivated the students by speaking about Muhammed Yunus, the laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize on how he used simple innovative techniques for empowerment and uplifting of rural people. Dr. Deepmoni Das, Associate Professor and HoD, Dept. of Engilsh also gave an enriching speech related to women empowerment. Dr. Rabinjyoti Khataniar, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Economics & Coordinator, IQAC addressed the audience and emphasized upon Gender Equality and use of ICT tools in education. Dr. B.C. Pathak, the respected Principal of B.H. College, Howly shared his insights and experiences regarding the subject matter. The event could gather a sizable faculty members and students’ attendance. The event was really inspiring which enlightened the students and teachers alike and was in consonance with the theme put forwarded by the UNO. Dr. Padma Sarkar, Assistant Professor offered the Vote of Thanks at the conclusion of the meeting.
Participation in the Awareness Programme on “Prevention of Child Marriage”
An awareness programme on “Prevention of Child Marriage” was organized by ACTA in collaboration with Women Cell, Barpeta Zone on the occasion of ACTA’s Platinum Jubilee on 10th July, 2023. Dr. Jinakshi Chutia, Dr. Dhristrimita Deka, Bidisha Dowarah and Seema Khakhalary on behalf of the Women Cell of B.H. College, also participated in the awareness programme.
B.H. College Women's Cell celebrated women’s day and encouraged women entrepreneurship. The cell decided to held the event on 7th March 2024, instead of 8th March 2024 due to the Higher Secondary Examination schedule and Shivratri Holiday on 8th March, 2024. On that day some of the members of the cell visited Juna Tamuli Barman, an entrepreneur of Bhujkuchiyapara Village, Pathshala, felicitated her and also interacted with her. Juna Tamuli Barman was awarded for her excellent work by the former Governor of Assam, JB Patnaik in 2013, she got Mukhyamantri Prerna Award in 2018 as best woman dairy farmer of the state, best dairy farmer award in the national livestock show in 2019, an excellence certificate from WAMUL in 2015, Dalmia young achievers award in 2021 besides lots of local and departmental awards.
Exchange of Views with the Prisoners of District Jail, Barpeta
With the aim of taking the teachers to different levels of society, rather than confining them to the classrooms, the Women’s Cell organized an exchange of views among the women prisoners of Barpeta District Jail on 28/02/2009. With the leadership of Sashiprabha Goswami, Bhanu Nath, Renu Hazarika, Dhira Bhattacharjee, Usha Das, Nirmali Malakar, Bagsmrita Bhagawati and Rajkumari Das, the Women’s Cell exchanged their views with the 14 (fourteen) women’s prisoners after taking permission from the district administration. The Women’s Cell offers this special initiative for the mental health well being of the prisoners through melodious songs and speeches on moral values and ethics. At the end of the program clothes, fruits and sweets were distributed among the prisoners.
