09 March 2022: The Mobius Foundation launched a campaign and a webinar, “Equal Samman”, in line with the UN theme – ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’. The campaign sought to understand the motto of #BreakTheBias and its role in the workplace and daily life.
The hour-long webinar was conducted virtually on March 8th, 2022, from 3:00-4:30 PM. It featured a panel of trailblazers who overcame obstacles imposed by society to become who they are today.
Dr. Ram Boojh, CEO, Mobius Foundation, welcomed all the guests and dignitaries and paid tribute to women warriors who are on the frontline of sustainability of the plant he further said “Our world would mean nothing without women. Their courage that exists in perfect harmony with amazing tenderness saves our world every day.”
Recognising the contributions of women and girls globally, the webinar initiated an informed and engaging debate about the dynamics of women’s empowerment and its impact on our nation’s development for a sustainable tomorrow. To emphasise the importance of breaking down biases against women and girls, the foundation invited internationally acclaimed women speakers to highlight the importance of challenging societal stereotypes. Dr. Neelima Jerath, Director General, Pushpa Gujral Science City; Dr. Shweta Khare Naik, Executive Director, Jane Goodall Institute India; Dr. Uma Tuli, Founder, Amar Jyoti Charitable Trust; and Ms. Nalini and Ms. Kamalini, SNA Awardee, and Padmashree, Ms. Indira Burman, Trustee Mobius Foundation, Chairperson SUNDESH, and Ms. Poonam Minhas, Principal Gyan Anant Vidyalaya graced the occasion.
Dr. Uma Tuli stated, “Biases have been broken many times. Look at the ‘Iron Ladies’ that have made their own place in society. What we need to see is men respecting women but also recognising women with disabilities who have been an inspiration to many like Sudha Chandran, Prachi, Bhakti, Arunima Sinha, and a lot more. We have to give equal opportunity and equal participation to people with special abilities, that’s when it will be #EqualSamman.”
Dr. Shweta Khare deliberated, “We as women should not limit ourselves. We have various roles to play, we have to find our own place, our own ways to be in this society.”
Dr. Neelima Jerath expressed, ‘Look at the clear skies beyond the glass ceiling – be strong – be soft – be silent, and let success make the noise one day’
Ms Nalini and Ms Kamalini said, “मैं ईश्वर का धन्यवाद करती हूँ मुझे नारी रूप देने के लिये। बिना नारी एक ऐसा आभाव होता है जैसे जीवन में कुछ है ही नहीं। नारी रंग है , संगीत है , संसार है , प्रकृति है। नारी सर्व है सर्वत्र है।”
Ms. Indira Burman, Trustee Mobius Foundation, Chairperson SUNDESH, thanked the guests and panelists and said “The road to gender equality remains long and ever-shifting—particularly when it comes to the nuanced ways gender intersects with race, class, and sexuality. But today’s influential female voices give us hope that we’re headed in the right direction.”
The month-long digital campaign #EqualSamman – aims to address conscious and unconscious biases that prevail in society and prevent women and girls from living their lives to the fullest.
Biases have crept across different lines in women’s lives, whether in the public or private sphere. Women are expected to behave in certain ways, which means they must live up to the standards set by society. Every woman should embrace their own individuality and identity and use it to make a difference to transform the world around them and break the bias. Behaving counter-stereotypically and rebelling against these biases is viewed negatively by society, and as a result, people perceive a less likable image of women. Mobius Foundation aims to demonstrate the strength and ambition of women to elevate a climate of change in society as part of its challenge to established norms.
Individually, we’re all responsible for our thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can break the bias in our communities. We can break the bias in our workplaces. We can break the bias in our schools, colleges, and universities.
SO, LET US ALL PLEDGE TOGETHER, WE CAN ALL BREAK THE BIAS – ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY (IWD) AND BEYOND.