The city celebrated the spirit of womanhood through a string of activities on Monday.
On the 100{+t}{+h} anniversary of ‘International Women's Day,' issues concerning women, their rights and opportunities, gender disparity and success stories were discussed at various forums.
Health Minister M.R.K.Paneerselvam, inaugurating a mammography unit and an awareness exhibition on cancer at Government Royapettah Hospital, said the Health Department had taken up measures to spread awareness on the need for annual health check-ups for women.
Over 200 women were screened for blood pressure, haemoglobin and body mass index at the medical camp organised by the Military Hospital.
At the event organised by the Social Welfare Department, students and welfare officers had a good mix of entertainment and information. Speaking on the occasion, Social Welfare Minister Geetha Jeevan spoke in favour of the 33 per cent reservation for women. “If women are given an opportunity, they will certainly utilise it well to serve the people,” she said.
State Commission for Women Chairperson Sarguna Pandian spoke. Three women achievers – social worker Sarojini Varadappan, Indrani Rajadurai of HelpAge India and V.Shanta of the Cancer Institute – were honoured on the occasion.
Chennai Corporation Deputy Commissioner (Health) P. Jyothi Nirmala, speaking at an event at Ripon Building, came down strongly on television programmes that stereotyped women.
Deputy Mayor R. Sathyabhama and Carnatic musician Sudha Ragunathan spoke.
Marking the occasion, Indian Oil Corporation honoured various women icons in the city for their valuable contribution to different fields.
US Consul General in Chennai Andrew T. Simkin, his wife Elizabeth Simkin, president Forum of Women in Public Sector, Rachel Mathew, IOC general manager P. Rajendran and executive director D.S.L.Prasad participated.
Dress codes
Dress codes and surprises were the order of the day and pink ruled the show at many corporate offices.
It was also an eventful day for celebrity women in the city. If some had to shuttle between venues for special talks, a few organisers faced a problem of different sorts. They had to find alternatives for those who did not turn up. A seminar on empowerment of women in science and technology was held at Ethiraj College for Women.
