The AIT President stated that the International Women’s Day provided
an opportunity for everyone to acknowledge and pay tribute to the
special contribution made by women at AIT and all over the world.
“There is a need for concerted action to ensure that the 21st century
will truly be the century of women,” the AIT President said. Women have
come a long way ever since the International Women’s Day was celebrated
for the first time almost a century ago, he said.
The President complimented the Gender and Development Studies Field of
Study for organizing a week full of activities to mark the
International Women’s Day. He stated that it is heartening to note that
the percentage of women students in AIT has shown a positive increase.
From a mere three per cent in 1961, the percentage of female students
has increased to over 36 percent. Percentage of women in staff is also
significant (42 per cent), though the same is unfortunately not true of
the faculty. He added that he was looking forward towards greater
numbers of applications and nominations from women now that
applications have been invited for the position of Vice President
(Academic Affairs).
The week-long celebrations began today with a rally beginning from the
AIT Conference Center, which witnessed participation from students,
staff and faculty of AIT. Carrying placards stating “Domestic help is
work,” the rally culminated at the AIT International School. The
activities are being supported by AIT Extension.
The President urged everyone to reaffirm the commitment and
sensitivity to the needs of women both in the planning, delivery and
impact of operational activities, as outlined in the Institute’s Gender
Equity and Gender Equality Policy.
‘Gender equity’ is the process of being fair to women and men and to
ensure fairness -- measures may be taken to compensate for historical
and social disadvantages that prevented women and men from operating on
a level field, Prof Irandoust remarked. He stated that equity leads to
equality and ‘gender equality’ implies that women and men enjoy the
same status. Gender equality implies that women have equal
opportunities for realizing their rights and potential in every field
of endeavor. The rationale for integrating a gender perspective into
all of AIT’s work is firmly rooted in the fundamental principles of
humanity and impartiality.
The AIT President stated that gender sensitivity programming is a key
component of AIT’s strategy, which states that AIT will strive to put
in place strategies and incentives for achieving a better gender
balance among students, faculty and staff, at all levels. In addition,
it also states AIT’s ongoing efforts and commitment to integrate gender
issues into the curricula, research and outreach activities is a matter
of quality, increased relevance and applicability
He appealed to everyone to reach beyond words, and turn the theme on
the 2010 International Women’s Day "Equal rights, equal opportunities:
Progress for all" into concrete action.
Students from AIT International
School leading the rally to mark International Women's
Day.