The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Global Health Advocates, recently concluded a year-long campaign on women’s health, safety and gender equality to mark the International Women’s Day.

The campaign was laun­ched last year on March 8, by Chandresh Kumari Katoch, Union Minister for Culture to address the cultural barriers and health issues of women.

The objective of the campaign was community mob­ilisation through an inter-sectoral approach, in order to address challenges related to women’s health and development that are interwoven in our cultural practices.
 The event, held over the weekend, witnessed participation of many eminent people from different walks of life and women rights activists who spoke on issues close to a woman’s heart namely health, safety, an equitable gender-friendly environment, job opportunities et al.

Discussions on issues of early marriage, nutritional concerns, lack of health awareness, immunisation, sanitation and necessity of educating the girl child. These issues resonated in the cultural programmes that were put up by artistes as part of the celebrations.

Theatre artistes presented a play based on women and the challenges they face. Directed by Anita Shabdeesh, the play Chiri di Ambar val Udaan touched many a heart. Other local artforms like the Lavni and Loknritya from the State of Maharashtra and Khyaal folk songs were also presented during the event.

A panel discussion was also held, addressing women issues which was inaugurated by Dipali Khanna, member secretary, IGNCA. Expressing her delight Dipali said, “We need to connect with the contemporary issues related to women and should reach out to larger groups of people to tackle issues related to women.

Also, the enthusiasm showed by the bikers was appreciable. And I hope the message which we are trying to spread will reach more and more people and we will soon see more development of women in our country.” 

The theme was highlighted with some help from the bikers of Royal Mavericks – Delhi’s Royal Enfield riders group – who rode their motorcycles with banners carrying messages on women health, the need to break cultural barriers and possible solutions to address gender-related issues.