Brainstorming Workshop on “Bridging the Gaps in Gender Research”     (1-2 June, 2016)

A two-day Brainstorming Workshop on ‘Bridging the Gaps in Gender Research’ was conducted during 1-2 June, 2016 at ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar. More than 50 Scientists of ICAR-CIWA and AICRP (Home Science) representing 11 states of India and 14 guest experts from fields of gender, nutrition, extension, and ergonomics participated in the workshop. Among the experts who made presentations on the topics related to above mentioned areas were Dr. Vinita Sharma, Dr. V. V. Sadamate, Dr. Aasha Kapur Mehta, Dr. R. Rengalakshmi, Dr. B. N. Sadangi, Dr. Kinkini Dasgupta Mishra, Dr. P. K. Nag, Dr. L. P. Gite, Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora and Dr. B. Sesikeran. In second day, guest experts and scientists formed five groups according to the given thematic areas and deliberated upon concepts to finalize the projects.
The opening session was graced by the Chief Guest Shri Manoj Ahuja, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment, Govt. of Odisha and the Guest of Honour, Sujata R.Karthikeyan, Commissioner-cum-Director, Odisha Watershed Development Mission, Govt. of Odisha. Dr. S. K. Srivastava, Organizing secretary of the workshop delivered the welcome address while Dr. Jatinder Kishtwaria, Director, ICAR-CIWA, presented an overview of the workshop. Dr. Sabita Mishra, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIWA proposed vote of thanks.
Some of the salient recommendations of the workshop are:  
  • In total 32 project proposals were discussed.
  • Scientists should focus on “Solution Science” i.e giving solutions to the problems of society through appropriate projects
  • Projects may also keep in view the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN and the National goals
  • Projects should be interdisciplinary, focused and women centric
  • ICAR-CIWA should be partner with other organizations to address issues like unequal access of women to extension and other services, drudgery of women,
  • Collaboration with development departments is essential to understand and address gender issues in programmes and policies of the government,
  • Outputs from research projects should be of high quality for uptake by government departments, NGOs and other relevant agencies.