St Agnes College Hosts NHRC-Sponsored National Training Programme on Women and Child Empowerment
Mangaluru, July 10: The Department of Political Science at St Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, successfully organised a prestigious one-day national training programme on July 10, 2026. Sponsored by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the programme was themed “Nurturing Health, Ensuring Safety: Empowering Women and Children” and was held at the Conference Hall in the Sofia Block.
The programme commenced at 9:00 a.m. with the traditional lighting of the lamp. Kolladi Balakrishna Rai, President of the Human Rights Federation of India, inaugurated the event and delivered the inaugural address. The session was presided over by Sr Dr Marie Prem D’Souza A.C., Joint Secretary of St Agnes College, who highlighted the vital role of educational institutions in promoting human rights awareness and education.
The day-long programme featured four technical sessions led by eminent experts, addressing various aspects of women’s and children’s welfare, sociology, law, and healthcare.
The first session, “Nurturing Health, Ensuring Safety: An Integrated Approach to Women and Child Welfare,” was conducted by Mrs Sachitha Nandagopal, Member of the Juvenile Justice Board, Dakshina Kannada (Government of Karnataka).
The second session was delivered by Dr Suparna Majumdar Kar, Professor and Head of the Department of Sociology at Christ (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, on the topic “Family and Society: Strategies for Promoting the Well-being of Women and Children.”
The third technical session focused on “Policy Frameworks and Legal Safeguards for Women’s and Children’s Rights” and was presented by Maheshchandra Nayak, Associate Professor at SDM Law College, Mangaluru.
The final session was led by Dr Joylene D’Almeida, Professor, Consultant and Laparoscopic Surgeon in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Mangaluru. She spoke on “Advancements in Maternal and Child Healthcare: Strategies for Improved Outcomes,” highlighting recent developments in maternal and child health services.
The programme concluded with a valedictory session at 4:00 p.m. Suraiyya Anjum, State General Secretary of the Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress Committee, attended as the Chief Guest and delivered the valedictory address, emphasising the importance of effectively implementing policies related to the health, safety, and rights of women and children at the grassroots level.
The valedictory session was presided over by Sr Dr Roopa Rodrigues A.C., Vice Principal of St Agnes College.
The programme was meticulously coordinated by Mrs Gayathri B.K., Convener, along with Ms Sampoorna V. Prabhu, Student Coordinator. It witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, academicians, and human rights advocates, making it a meaningful platform for learning, dialogue, and awareness on issues concerning women and child empowerment.
