A significant seminar on ‘Gender Mainstreaming in Economic Development’ was organized at Tripura University by the Women’s Studies Centre and the Department of Economics. The event addressed key issues such as occupational segregation and its impact on economic productivity, emphasizing the need for inclusive economic policies.
Professor Rajshree Bedamatta from the Humanities & Social Sciences Department of the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, served as the Guest of Honour. In her address, she highlighted the importance of skill enhancement in fostering productivity and achieving the bargaining theory in economics. She noted that while economic theories often assume rationality, they frequently fail to incorporate gender mainstreaming principles effectively.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Professor Sharmistha Bhattachaya Haldar, Director of the Women’s Studies Centre at Tripura University. Professor Subhrabaran Das, Head of the Department of Economics, set the thematic tone by elaborating on the importance and fundamental principles of gender mainstreaming in economic development.
Chief Guest Professor Badal Kumar Dutta, Senior Professor at Tripura University, added depth to the discussions on gender and economic development. The seminar also featured virtual lectures from eminent economists. Professor Amit Kundu, Head of the Department of Economics at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, spoke on ‘Employment Generation among Indian Women in the Gig Economy: Importance of Formal and Informal Vocational Training.’ Additionally, Professor Chandralekha Ghosh from the Department of Economics at West Bengal State University, Barasat, presented insights on ‘Gender and Financial Inclusion.’
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Professor Jahar Debbarma from the Department of Economics, Tripura University. The discussions underscored the pressing need for skill enhancement and policy interventions to bridge gender disparities in economic participation. The seminar made a strong case for sustained efforts in gender mainstreaming within the Indian economic framework, reinforcing the role of inclusive policies in fostering economic growth and equality.
