International Women’s Day 2022” was celebrated at ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha by organizing a seminar on 8th March 2022. The seminar was attended by more than 120 farmers and farmwomen from 10 different villages adopted under Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav programme of ICAR-CIWA, staff of ICAR-CIWA and Doctors from SUM Ultimate healthcare Hospital. In the inaugural function of the seminar, Dr. Laxmipriya Sahoo appraised the audience about the importance of celebrating the day. Dr Jyoti Nayak, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIWA welcomed all the dignitaries and participants. Chief Guest of the function, Dr. Anil Kumar, Director, ICAR-CIWA in his address highlighted the status of women in the society in the past and their status at present times. He informed the audience about the endeavour of ICAR-CIWA in conducting research and bringing meaningful interventions in the life of farmwomen. He highlighted the government schemes and programmes meant for upliftment of women and farm family. The guest of honour Mrs Subhashree Dash is well known for the cause of working on women and child in Odisha. She explained the participants on the significance of celebrating this day. She also stressed on the need for sensitizing the society and creating a congenial atmosphere both at home and society for growth of women and girl child to their full potential. She expressed her concern on the growing number of crimes against women and problems in their reporting.

In this occasion speakers from SUM Ultimate Healthcare Dr Sangeeta Mishra, gynaecologist gave presentations on “Basic healthcare for women: Puberty to Menopause and Dr Sushree Sangita Jena, Dietician on “Balanced Diet”. These two presentations imparted great awareness among the participants on the health and nutrition of women and adolescent girls. The farm women from different Villages participated in a quiz completion on different aspects of farm and Household. Three winners were selected and given prizes. The quiz competition was managed by Sri Bhikari Charan Behera. Sri Manoranjan Prusty proposed vote of thanks. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Laxmipriya Sahoo, Dr. Jyoti Nayak, Sri Manoranjan Prusty, Er. Subrat Das and Sri Bhikari Charan Behera.