The Department of Liberal Arts and Humanities at Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, organized an insightful Guest Lecture on “Gender Sensitization and Ethics”. The session was conducted by Dr. Sarika, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Management and Commerce and In-Charge of the Gender Sensitization Cell at the university. The event was a significant step towards promoting ethical consciousness and gender sensitivity among the students and faculty.
The session commenced with an introductory note by Dr. Amrita Chaudhary, Assistant Professor and Department Nodal Officer, who welcomed the gathering and presented a brief profile of Dr. Sarika, highlighting her rich academic background and her impactful work in the area of gender equity and ethics in institutional spaces. Dr. Sarika was warmly welcomed with a sapling, a symbol of growth and sustainability by Dr. Durvesh Kumar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Liberal Arts & Humanities.
Dr. Sarika’s lecture was intellectually enriching and socially relevant. She began by explaining the concept of gender sensitization and emphasized the importance of recognizing gender-based discrimination, stereotypes, and the need to create inclusive environments within academic institutions and society. She emphasized the critical need for gender sensitization in today’s educational and professional environments. She stated that gender sensitization is not merely about understanding biological differences, but about breaking down deep-rooted stereotypes, social conditioning, and power imbalances that define gender roles in society.
She traced the history of gender inequality, citing examples from various cultures and time periods where women were systematically marginalized. She emphasized how such practices still manifest subtly in modern institutions, including workplaces, families, and even classrooms. Dr. Sarika explained that patriarchy is not just a system that affects women negatively but also imposes restrictive norms on men, such as emotional suppression and societal pressure to conform to aggressive masculinity.
She then shifted focus to the concept of gender equity, explaining the difference between equality and equity. While equality ensures equal treatment, equity ensures fairness by recognizing and addressing structural imbalances. She urged students and faculty alike to recognize their biases and actively work to create inclusive and equitable spaces both on campus and in society.
On ethics, Dr. Sarika discussed moral reasoning and values, especially how ethical behavior forms the foundation of a just and empathetic society. She connected ethics with gender justice, noting that respecting another individual’s dignity, choices, and identity is not just a moral obligation but an ethical necessity. She presented real-life case studies that highlighted ethical dilemmas in corporate, academic, and personal settings, emphasizing the importance of empathy, dialogue, and accountability.
The session was interactive throughout, with students asking thoughtful questions about gender representation in media, ethical decision-making in personal relationships, and how to address gender bias within peer groups. Dr. Sarika answered each question with insight and encouraged open-mindedness and critical thinking.
She concluded by highlighting the role of youth in changing societal narratives, advocating for gender-sensitive policies, and upholding ethical conduct. Her parting message was:
“Be the change you want to see. Challenge biases, speak up against injustice, and build a world where everyone, regardless of gender, feels safe, respected, and valued.”
The lecture concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Niyati Garg, Associate Professor, who expressed her deep gratitude to Dr. Sarika for her time and impactful contribution. She also acknowledged the efforts of the organizing team and emphasized the importance of such lectures in shaping a socially responsible and ethically grounded academic community.
The event was attended by distinguished faculty members including Dr. Mohini Mittal, Dr. Lovely, Dr. Ajay Kumar Verma, Dr. Ruby, Miss Juli, and Dr. Kiran Rani, whose presence encouraged students to reflect more deeply on the subject. The lecture was well-received by students, with attendees like Manjeet Goswami, Atul Kaushik, Jay Bhadana, Alish, Devika Singh, Anshika, Gayatri, Himanshi Mishra, Srishti, Samayra, Vansh, Samriddhi, Divya Chauhan and Jyoti Tomar showing commendable enthusiasm.
The event was meticulously coordinated by Dr. Amrita Chaudhary, who ensured its smooth execution and facilitated communication between departments. She emphasized that gender sensitization is not a one-time activity but a continuous process that needs reinforcement through education, awareness, and action.
This lecture stands as a testimony to the university’s commitment towards fostering inclusive, respectful, and ethically aware academic environments. The Department of Liberal Arts and Humanities plans to continue hosting such events to ensure a holistic development of students, encouraging them to become sensitive and responsible citizens of tomorrow.
