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PARIVARTAN – THE GENDER FORUM
Parivartan, the Gender Forum of Kirori Mal College, is a space dedicated to fostering open conversations and dialogue surrounding the diverse experiences, challenges and perspectives related to gender and sexuality. Established in 1998, the forum aims to create an inclusive environment where individuals can share their thoughts, learn from one another and contribute to a broader understanding of gender issues. Through regular discussions we explore and raise awareness about the complexities of gender identity, equality and sexualities shaping our diverse world.
Since its establishment in 1998, Parivartan has been working towards building an inclusive campus and society, free of discrimination and patriarchal prejudices. As one of the oldest gender forums in the University of Delhi, our intention has always been to bring about an intervention in society that involves each and every one of us. Gender and the politics surrounding it concerns us all and it is something we cannot escape. Here, at Parivartan, we try to understand its impact on our day-to-day relationships, connections and experiences in life. We encourage meaningful interactions and create an environment of safety and learning for students so they feel free to express themselves. Amidst all the changes that a person goes through in their life, gender issues continue to confront us. Young or old it is a universal experience, and it raises questions which still await satisfactory answers. Through our efforts, we attempt to challenge long seated beliefs and reassert our own convictions. Talking and writing about things may not seem enough, but it is only through discussions that we open our mind to the world. We believe in speaking, writing and discussing the numerous rampant and commonplace discriminatory practices of our lives. It is only by taking small steps such as these that we can hope to build a society that is more understanding and less violent. All of these steps are a walk towards a future where people from diverse backgrounds and different lived realities are able to come together and have conversations irrespective of their gender statuses, roles and identities.
1. Commemorating “25 Years of Parivartan” on 20th-21st February, 2024
Day 1:
Session- Gender, Law & Society: A Panel Discussion A panel discussion was held to celebrate Parivartan’s 25th anniversary. The discussion covered gender sensitization, the concept of consent and the challenges faced by the queer rights movement. The speakers for this event were Anjali Sinha and Dr.Latika Vashist. Face Painting & Poster Making Competition- 20 thFebruary,2024A face painting and poster making competition was held on the theme ‘Love and Rage”. Participants from colleges around Delhi University competed, with winners announced on the second day.
Day 2:
Session 1: The Journey for Gender Justice at Delhi University21 st February, 2024
Dr. Uma Chakravarti spoke about the journey for gender justice at Delhi University on day two of Parivartan’s 25th anniversary celebration. She highlighted the importance of Parivartan as a gender forum and discussed the struggled for women’s rights in the 1960s and 70s, including protests against sexual violence and dowry. She also spoke about the Anti-Harassment Movement in Delhi University and the challenges of bringing awareness to the issue of harassment.
Session 2: Rural Women and Gender Justice-21stFebruary, 2024
Jagmati Sangwan, a women’s rights activist, spoke at a session about her experiences fighting against honor killings, advocating for women’s participation in local elections and ensuring safety for women protesting. She highlighted the ongoing challenges in achieving gender justice despite progress made by past movements.
2.Alumni Speak- 21st February, 2024
Parivartan, the Gender Forum of Kirori Mal College celebrated its 25th anniversary with a session featuring alumni. Former members shared their experiences in Parivartan and how it impacted their lives. The event included a video message from a founding member and messages from alumni who couldn’t attend in person.
3.Talk session with the past Parivartan members- 3rd April,2024
Parivartan, the Gender Forum of Kirori Mal College, held a reunion event with alumni to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The event aimed to reconnect old members, shared experiences and inspired current members to continue working for gender equality. Alumni shared stories about their lives. The event also included a dance performance, cake cutting and a look towards the forum’s future.
4.NAZARIYA: ANNUAL FEST- 25TH & 26TH APRIL,2024
Day 1:
A screening of a movie Parched was followed by a discussion with the director Leena Yadav. The audience and Shahana, a friend of the director, shared their thoughts on the film’s characters, plot and social commentary. A debate competition then took place, with the topic being “Whether pornography is detrimental to feminists”.
Day 2:
The first event of the second day of Nazariya focused on bullying faced by the LGBTQAI+ community. The event featured two films followed by a discussion with Yash Sharma, a co-founder of Official Humans of Queer (OHOQ). The discussion covered Sharma’s personal experiences and audience members shared their stories as well. The second and the last event for Nazariya was an open mic called “IZHAAR”, which allowed students from Delhi University to showcase their talents through poetry, singing, dancing and stand-up comedy.
Parivartan, the Gender Forum of Kirori Mal College, fosters a space for open conversations on gender issues through the weekly discussions. These discussions are the essence of this Gender Forum and emphasize the forum’s role in creating a platform for dialogue.
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1. Breaking the Silence: Understanding Anti-Sexual Harassment Laws- 3rd June.2023
This was the very first weekly discussion that was held for the year 2023-24. It was held online. It discussed about sexual harassment and various cases and perspectives. How sexual harassment affects individuals in day-to-day life and the laws and impacts they have on fostering a culture of respect, consent, and accountability.
2. Gender: A Social or a Biological construct?- 15 June, 2023 An open discussion on gender identity was held. The discussion explored participants’ understanding of gender, challenged stereotypes and clarified the distinction between sex and gender. Personal experiences and anecdotes enriched the conversation.
3. Gender Roles in Families- 20th June,2023 The discussion explored gender roles in India through a documentary screening and a following discussion. The discussion covered how gender roles are portrayed in families, the challenges faced by women in various aspects of life and the differences in parental leave policies.
4. Codes and Clothes: Discussing Bodily Autonomy- 29th September, 2023 The discussion explores how clothing reinforces gender stereotypes and societal expectations. It challenges the idea that certain clothes are inherently masculine or feminine, and explores how this can limit self-expression and perpetuate gender inequality.
5. Domestic Violence- 20th October, 2023 The discussion covered domestic violence, including its various forms (physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, psychological) and the laws surrounding it. It highlighted the gap in legal protection for male victims and the under recognition of domestic violence in same-sex relationships.
6. Marriage- 27th October, 2023 The discussion explored marriage from various angles, including its historical and cultural significance, legal aspects and social norms. Participants debated whether marriage is a choice or a compulsion, considering ethical issues such as dowry and child marriage. The discussion also covered different types of marriages (monogamy and polygamy) and same-sex marriage.
7. Love and Technology- 1st December, 2023 The discussion explored how technology has impacted love from dating apps and social media use to communication styles and relationship expectations. The focus was on how technology can both enhance and complicate relationships.
8. Love is in the air Market- 9th February, 2024 The discussion explored the commodification of love in modern times. Participants debated whether gift giving is a genuine expressions of love or a marketing ploy, and how commercialization affects our perception of love itself. They also Discussed the concept of “bare minimum” relationships and its implications.
9. Reproductive Rights- 15th March, 2024 The discussion covered a wide range of topics related to reproductive rights, including contraception, menstruation, childbirth, sex education and abortion. Participants shared their experiences and perspectives on the issues, highlighting the importance of comprehensive sex education and access to safe and legal abortion.
Parivartan, the Gender Forum of Kirori Mal College, organizes workshops to foster open discussions and raise awareness on various gender-related issues.
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1. Orientation- 4th September, 2023
Parivartan, the Gender Forum of Kirori Mal College was established in 1998 to raise awareness about gender issues. The society’s orientation was held on September 4th, 2023. There were gamesplayed on gender classifications followed by a discussion. Members explained the forum’s functioning, structure, and membership criteria.
2. Interactive sessions with Dr. Sundari Anitha- 11 September,2023 The session was led by Dr. Sundari Anitha on gendered abuse, discrimination, and the contributions of South Asian women to the UK labor rights movement. It addressed the intersection of race, gender, and class in the experience of migrants, and also explored the critical issue of college harassment and potential solutions to create a safer campus environment.
3. Speaker session on Sexual Harassment: A conversation about Safety in Campus- 4th October, 2023 A speaker session led by Dr. Shahana Bhattacharya, Dr. Amrapali Basumatary, and Dr. Janaki Abraham on campus safety addressed personal experiences, coping mechanisms for harassment and the evolution of the university’s sexual harassment policy. The session included audience sparticipation, along with a Q&A and a vote of thanks.
4. Interactive session- Queer: History, Experience & Identity The session was led by Aathira Gopi and Avali Khare on the rich tapestry of queer history, experience and identity. It discussed the various legal judgements that have taken place in the context of queer rights..
5. Speaker session and Nukkad Natak by Players on Marital Rape- 8th November, 2023 The event featured “Man Marzi”, a street play by Players Society and Parivartan, addressing marital rape and its societal neglect. Dr. Latika Vashist led a discussion on marital rape’s prevalence and consequences in India and also touched on historical perspectives, same-sex marriage, and gender equality followed by a Q&A.
6. Women’s Day Celebration- Discussion on Labour of Love 8th March, 2024
Parivartan, the Gender Forum of Kirori Mal College celebrated International Women’s Day by discussing the concept of paid and unpaid labor performed by women. Dr. Vineeta Sharma gave a presentation on the topic and the discussion also covered UNECE’s time use survey which revealed that a majority of unpaid workers are women followed by a Q&A, a poem by Dr. Sharma and a quiz.
7. Renewing Rights- Reflections on Gender and Sexuality- 3rd April, 2024 The speaker for the session was Gautam Bhan, he discussed the concept of politics and rights. He emphasized that the fight for rights is not just about LGBTQAI+ rights, but about ensuring inclusive access to social, cultural and economic opportunities for all.
Over the 25 years of its existence, Parivartan has achieved an honorable feat as the Gender Forum. From being an important part of the struggle for gender equality in the University ecosystem, Pari has come a long way in establishing and promoting gender equality and inclusivity over the years. By advocating for better rules and less discrimination, Parivartan has made the college a more inclusive and open place. Its work reflects the non-discriminatory policies of the college and how it is a safe space for people to freely express themselves. The multiple sessions and seminars organized by the forum have been essential in educating people about gender equality and identity. The college community has been sensitized towards issues relating to gender. Gender based discrimination and issues have decreased significantly over the years, thanks to the efforts of people associated with Parivartan. The forum remains one of the most accepting and open spaces for people to talk about various crucial events and topics of today's time, especially those based on gender identity, discrimination and sexism. Joining Parivartan offers a unique and enriching opportunity to engage with critical issues, promote inclusivity, and drive social change. Parivartan provides a platform to learn about gender-related issues, including gender equality and identity. These are crucial topics in today's world and understanding them is essential. Being part of Parivartan presents you with a chance to advocate for gender equality and challenge discriminatory practices and beliefs. Our campaigns create awareness and aim to address and reduce gender-based discrimination. This allows students to make a tangible social impact and make the college and society a much better inclusive and equitable place. The forum offers a supportive environment where everyone can share their opinions and experiences. With Pari, you can work on your skills while making a social impact!
Instagram : @kmc_genderforum
Facebook: @kmc_genderforum
Linktree: @kmcparivartan
Email: kmcparivartan@gmail.com
Faculty Advisor:
Shahana Bhattacharya
+91 98116 89967
Chief Coordinators:
Rohan Verma
+91 93152 48206
Tia Pandit
+9 88514 90876