The programme was inaugurated by Prof. Sharat Kumar Palita, Vice-Chancellor.
In his address, he highlighted the achievements of women across the world and India and asserted that CUO as an educational institution is striving sincerely to provide a suitable platform to women faculty, staff, and students. He also mentioned the role of women in upholding the family system, especially in tribal societies like Koraput.The Keynote Speaker and Guest of Honour was Padma Shri Prof. Najma Akhtar Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. In her address, she highlighted on gender equality for sustainable development. She also stressed on the policy decisions for climate sustenance goals and the inclusion of women in them.
She also indicated the need for finding the cause for gender inequality and building the power of women to equalize men.
The Chief Guest for the occasion was Prof Annpurna Nautiyal, VC, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Uttarakhand. In her address she highlighted the different threats arising due to climate change with special reference to hill ecosystem like cloud bursts, agriculture and water scarcity problems. She emphasized on the technological interventions needed in harnessing the ecological and medicinal values of the various plants present in the hills for climate resilience. She also highlighted the inclusion of women in livelihood development, farm and non-farm areas.
She also stressed on the access to equity and inclusiveness in education, health, basic facility and employment for women which is laid down in NEP.