By Ms Marilyn Dias for BIS Mumbai

On the August 26, 2025, the Secondary Section of St Joseph’s High School observed Women’s Equality Day with much enthusiasm and purpose during the 4th and 5th periods. The programme was organised by Tr Priya under the guidance of the Supervisor, Mrs Nagaprabha Rao.

The programme began with a brief introduction on the significance of Women’s Equality Day, highlighting its role in reminding society of the need to create equal opportunities and respect for women. This was followed by the introduction of the Guest Speaker, Ms Daivata Patil, by the supervisor Mrs Nagaprabha Rao and was then warmly felicitated by the Principal, Fr Solomon Rapol.

Ms Daivata Patil is an Assistant Professor in Advertising, Media Research and Management. She has rich experience in the fields of Brand Communication, Marketing and Public Relations, and has taught at reputed institutions including the University of Pune. She is a SET-qualified academic, and she has also conducted corporate training for various organisations. Ms Patil has co-authored a book chapter on media and human rights, focusing on the representation of transgender persons in Bollywood films. ASHA, the movie produced by Ms Patil has won four awards at the 61st Maharashtra State Film Festival. She has been a strong voice for gender equality, conducting workshops for youth and addressing gatherings across the state on this pressing issue.

The highlight of the programme was a street play (Nukkad Natak) presented by the students of Standards 8 and 9. The play creatively portrayed the challenges women face in Indian society and emphasised the need for equality in education, employment, and opportunities.

Following this, Ms Daivata addressed the gathering in an interactive session. She engaged the students with thought-provoking questions and shared real-life examples that resonated with them. Through her talk, she emphasised that both men and women must be treated as equals in every sphere of life. She also highlighted that gender sensitisation is the need of the hour, as stereotypes and biases often prevent women from realising their true potential. She concluded her address by leading the students and staff in a pledge to uphold and promote gender equality.

The Principal, Fr Rapol, further enriched the session by sharing his personal experiences from schools in Lonavala and Nashik. He underlined that true progress in society can only be achieved when women are empowered alongside men.

The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks proposed by Fr Principal, leaving the audience inspired to reflect on their role in promoting equality.