Patna Women’s College Marks International Women’s Day with Gender Justice Theme

Patna : Patna Women’s College (PWC) concluded its International Women’s Day celebrations with a grand valedictory ceremony on Friday, reinforcing its commitment to gender justice and inclusivity. Organised by the WE PWC Gender Cell, the event brought together thought leaders, activists, and students to discuss equality and empowerment.

A highlight of the celebrations was the Sahas award ceremony, hosted by the Patna Women’s College Alumni Association as part of Ojaswini 2025. The awards honoured individuals who have made significant contributions to social justice and the upliftment of marginalised communities. This year’s recipients included Father Dr. Prakash Louis S.J., Director of XISR and Bihar Migrant Hub; Usha Jha, President of Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh; and Rani Tiwari, transgender activist and representative of Garima Grih.

The event opened with a musical tribute celebrating women’s resilience, followed by a powerful dance performance addressing gender biases. After receiving their awards, the Sahas awardees shared their perspectives on gender justice. Father Louis stressed the importance of education in dismantling discriminatory norms, while Usha Jha underscored financial independence as key to women’s empowerment. Rani Tiwari, advocating for broader inclusivity, called for equal opportunities regardless of gender identity.

Recognising talent across various categories, awards and certificates were also distributed to winners of competitions held during the Women’s Day celebrations. The audience was then captivated by a screening of Anuja, an Oscar-nominated film exploring child labour, education, and poverty.

The event was coordinated by Dr. Sister Celine Crasta A.C., Head of the History Department; Enakshi Dey Biswas, Coordinator of Performing Arts; and Puja Kumari, Assistant Professor in the Commerce Department. Student leaders Shrishti Tiwari and Mariyum Fatima moderated the proceedings, while Varsha Shankar delivered the vote of thanks.

With its focus on dialogue and action, the event reaffirmed Patna Women’s College’s role in advocating for a society where all genders enjoy equal rights and opportunities.