Profcon calls for end to discrimination against women in professional education

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Minister for the Welfare of SC, ST and Backward Classes K.A. Thulasi addressing a women’s session during the 30 global professional students conference (Profcon) at Ahalia Campus, Kanjikode, on Saturday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The 30th Global Professional Students Conference (Profcon), being held at the Ahalia Campus in Kanjikode near here since Friday, has raised concerns over the discrimination and safety threats faced by female students during internships and fieldwork.

An exclusive women’s session held on Saturday called for an end to such discrimination. Organised by the Wisdom Islamic Students Organisation, the conference said complaints from female students undertaking fieldwork as part of professional courses such as civil engineering about the lack of safe accommodation should be taken seriously.

The conference urged students to challenge anti-women attitudes and narratives and to recognise attempts to foster feelings of inferiority through patriarchal notions of beauty.

It also called for vigilance against efforts to commercialise women’s identities and urged students to challenge campaigns and ideologies that undermine their freedom in matters of dress, customs and beliefs.

Minister for the Welfare of SC, ST and Backward Classes K.A. Thulasi said women and men should complement each other and women should make the most of the opportunities available to them.

Speaking after inaugurating the women’s session, she urged students to recognise and develop their talents and overcome their shortcomings with confidence.

The Minister also cautioned against forces that seek to undermine democracy and distort or erase history.

Peace Radio chief executive officer Harris Bin Saleem, Lajnatul Buhroothil Islamiyya scholars’ forum convener Hamsa Madani, Wisdom Women State president Zahra Sullamiyya, general secretary C. Raseela, Endeavour International School founder Afreen Mohammed, Wisdom Girls State president M. Nubla, general secretary T.K. Haneena, Wisdom Students Islamic Organisation Palakkad district president P. Hamsakutty Salafi, Perinthalmanna block panchayat president Najma Tabshira and Muhammad Sadiq Madani also spoke.

Hundreds of female students from professional campuses across India attended the conference.

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