International Women’s Day is celebrated all over the world to appreciate the achievements made by women in various fields and also to bring to the fore issues surrounding women’s rights.As an educational institution that believes in providing equal opportunities for all, Hindustan Institution of Technology and Science (HITS) takes several initiatives to promote women empowerment. One such initiative was a “Skill Enhancement Workshop for Women Empowerment” organized by the Department of Fashion, Design and Arts in collaboration with NSS,towards the recent International Women’s Day, on 8 and 9 March 2021.
The two-day free skill workshop intended to contribute towards accelerating gender parity and Women Empowerment in the local women saw an active participation of around 15 women from the surrounding villages of Padur, Idayankuppam and Thandalam.During the workshop, the women were trained to handle a sewing machine, take measurements, mark & cut pattens, stitch a Saree Blouse, a Salwar Kameez, a Face Mask and a Cloth pad. They were also advised on how and where they could get a loan from the Govt. to buy a sewing machine and set up their own tailoring shop/businessto become economicallyindependent and self-sufficient.The workshop was concluded by an empowering address delivered by Dr. R. W. Alexander Jesudasan, Pro Vice Chancellor, HITS; followed by the distributionof certificates to the women attendees by Dr. S.N. Sridhara, Vice Chancellor, HITS.