Tripura University will host a National Seminar on Reimagining Development: Gender, Power and Sustainability on February 12, 2026, focusing on gender equality, policy reform, economic justice and sustainable development through expert academic discussions.
Tripura University is set to organise a one-day National Seminar on “Reimagining Development: Gender, Power and Sustainability” on February 12, 2026, at the Conference Hall of the Central Library, Tripura University. The academic event is being jointly organised by the Women’s Studies Centre and the Department of Economics with the objective of fostering critical dialogue on inclusive, equitable and sustainable development from a gendered perspective.
The national seminar aims to bring together leading academicians, development practitioners and policy experts from across the country to deliberate on the interconnected themes of gender equality, power structures and sustainability. The programme will begin at 10:00 am and is expected to witness active participation from faculty members, research scholars, postgraduate students and representatives of various civil society organisations.
The seminar comes at a time when global debates on development are increasingly focused on inequality, climate change, labour rights and social justice. By centring gender within the discourse on sustainability, the organisers intend to challenge conventional development narratives that often overlook structural disparities and power imbalances.
Eminent speakers invited to address the seminar include Prof. N. Manimekalai, Director of the Centre for Women’s Development Studies, New Delhi; Prof. Aarti Srivastava from the Department of Higher and Professional Education at the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration under the Ministry of Education, Government of India; Prof. Ritu Dewan, Professor and Director (Research) at the Mumbai School of Economics and Public Policy, University of Mumbai; and Ms. Ashmita Sharma, Executive Director of the Society for Labour and Development, New Delhi.
Each speaker will present insights drawn from their respective domains of expertise. Prof. Manimekalai is expected to highlight the importance of gender justice, feminist policy frameworks and institutional reforms in reshaping development strategies. Her address will likely examine how public policy can bridge gender gaps in access to education, employment and decision-making.
Prof. Aarti Srivastava will focus on the transformative role of education in promoting equitable development. She is expected to emphasise how inclusive educational planning and professional training can empower women and marginalised communities, thereby strengthening the foundation for sustainable growth.
Offering an economic perspective, Prof. Ritu Dewan will analyse the relationship between gender, power relations and economic structures. Her presentation is anticipated to explore how unpaid care work, wage disparities and labour market segmentation continue to reinforce systemic inequalities. She may also propose policy interventions that align economic development with gender-sensitive sustainability goals.
Ms. Ashmita Sharma will address issues related to labour rights, social equity and sustainable livelihoods, particularly in the context of women and marginalised workers. Her deliberation is likely to underscore the need for inclusive labour policies, fair wages and social protection systems to ensure long-term, balanced development.
According to the organisers, the seminar seeks to encourage interdisciplinary engagement among economists, sociologists, educationists and grassroots development practitioners. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding how power dynamics influence access to natural resources, financial capital and institutional opportunities. Discussions are expected to explore alternative development frameworks that integrate gender sensitivity with environmental sustainability.
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University authorities expressed optimism that the seminar would enhance academic discourse in the region and contribute to policy-relevant research. They noted that such national-level platforms not only enrich scholarly debate but also inspire young researchers to critically engage with contemporary issues of gender, sustainability and social transformation.
With rising concerns over widening economic disparities, climate vulnerability and social exclusion, the seminar is poised to play a crucial role in rethinking development paradigms. By foregrounding gender and power within sustainability discussions, Tripura University aims to contribute meaningfully to shaping inclusive and just development strategies for future generations.
