Women’s Day at HPNLU: Breaking Barriers, Smashing Ceilings
Shimla, 8 March 2025: Women can conquer mountains—literally and figuratively.
That was the core message at Himachal Pradesh National Law University’s (HPNLU) guest lecture on International Women’s Day.
The event, themed "For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment," turned into a powerful conversation about challenges, victories, and the long road ahead.
The day also marked 30 years of the Beijing Declaration, the landmark global commitment to women’s rights.
“It’s a milestone, but we still have miles to go,” said Dr. Sachin Sharma in his welcome address.
He reminded the audience that while frameworks like the Beijing Declaration have pushed for change, “real transformation demands continuous effort.”
Education, Laws, and the Roadblocks
Professor Priti Saxena, in her inaugural speech, got straight to the point. “Education is the key to empowerment, but what about the hurdles?” she asked.
Violence, discrimination, and systemic biases continue to hold women back. “Laws exist, but do they work on the ground? Implementation is where we fall short,” she stressed.
Glass Ceilings in the Corporate World
The keynote speaker, Professor Dr. Bindu S. Ronald, tackled the tough questions on women’s representation in leadership roles.
“Are we doing enough to ensure women break the glass ceiling?” she asked.
Despite qualifications and skills, women often find themselves stuck at middle management.
“The problem isn’t a lack of talent. It’s the invisible barriers that stall their progress,” she said, challenging workplaces to do better.
Dicky Dolma: From Peaks to Inspiration
The most electrifying moment came when Dicky Dolma, veteran mountaineer and senior instructor at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute, took the stage.
She spoke of her journey as a woman in a male-dominated field. “Mountains don’t care about gender, but society does,” she said.
From battling stereotypes to setting seven records, her story was one of sheer grit.
“You don’t wait for doors to open. You push through them,” she declared, drawing thunderous applause.
A Call to Action
As the event wrapped up, Dr. Akshita Dhiman summed it up best in her vote of thanks.
“It’s not just about celebrating women’s achievements. It’s about fixing what still holds them back.”
HPNLU’s Women’s Day event wasn’t just another academic discussion.
It was a call to action—to ensure that equality isn’t just a promise on paper but a reality in practice.
