The Business School (TBS), University of Jammu organised a one-day seminar to celebrate International Women’s Day 2026. The seminar was held on the theme “Give to Gain: Empowering Women, Enriching Society”, highlighting that societal investment in women’s education, leadership and mentorship is a key catalyst for sustainable development and collective progress.
The event featured a panel discussion comprising experts from diverse fields who shared their perspectives on the role of women in shaping a more equitable and progressive society.
Ms. Neeraj Gupta Bakshi, JKAS, Director General, Local Funds Audit and Pensions, J&K, spoke about various women-oriented government schemes that provide opportunities for women’s empowerment. She urged women to be proactive and unapologetic in pursuing their goals, describing them as the “unsung heroes” of society.
Prof. Alka Sharma, Dean Faculty of Business Studies and Director, SIIEDC, University of Jammu, introduced the theme of the seminar and described empowerment as an essential institutional framework rather than merely a social goal. She noted that many modern societies still fail to treat women as equals and stressed that men also have a crucial role to play in promoting women’s empowerment. She further emphasized that women must be given opportunities to study and pursue their chosen paths.
Senior Advocate Ms. Meenakshi Slathia, partner at Slathia Law Firm, highlighted the gap between constitutional rights and social realities and stressed the need to bridge this societal divide.
Dr. Saima Sadiq, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Government Medical College Jammu, underscored the importance of women’s health and spoke about creating awareness regarding menstrual health and the HPV vaccine.
Ms. Asha Sarmal, journalist with Gulistan News and JK Media, emphasized the accountability of the government in empowering women by addressing issues such as literacy, crime and social justice.
Ms. Geetika Kohli, founder of the startup Thinksta, shared her views on how women’s struggles are often overlooked and highlighted the need to dismantle unequal systems while encouraging women to grow beyond the identities imposed upon them.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Prof. Amisha Gupta, Director, The Business School, highlighted the transformational role of women and described them as agents of change in society. She also emphasized the role of TBS in educating and mentoring women leaders who have excelled in diverse fields including business, academics and administration.
The panelists were formally felicitated by the faculty members of The Business School. The Creative Showcase team was also recognized for presenting a thematic skit written and directed by Mr. Rohan Sharma and Mr. Avinash Lakhnotra, which sparked meaningful dialogue through performance.
The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Aubid Hussain Parrey, Assistant Professor, TBS. The programme concluded with an interactive open house session that allowed students and scholars to engage directly with the panelists.
The formal vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. Komal Nagar, who expressed gratitude to the University administration, resource persons, scholars and students for making the event successful. She also acknowledged a positive cultural shift, observing that the narrative has evolved from “women vs women” to a collective movement of “women for women.”