Streevani Women's Cell

Streevani is the Women's Development Cell of Pushpanjali College of Education.
The objectives of the Cell are

• To create social awareness about the problems of women

• To equip student-teachers with skills to deal with social problems faced by women

• To empower student teachers with knowledge, skills and attitude to curb child sexual abuse

• To collaborate with organizations working in the area of women empowerment

• To organize programmes for empowerment of female students

• To promote holistic well-being of female students, teaching and non-teaching women staff of the college 

Programmes conducted by the Women Development Cell include Gender Sensitization Programmes, Awareness of Gender Laws, Awareness of schemes for women empowerment, interaction with empowered women and celebration of days that focus on gender equality. 

Orientation towards Legal Provisions for Women

An orientation programme on Awareness about Legal Provisions for Women was conducted as part of the course Gender, School and Society by Ms. Celina Fernandes, wherein she provided valuable insights into various legal provisions, acts, and laws aimed at protecting and empowering women. The session focused on creating awareness about women’s rights and the importance of legal literacy in promoting gender equality. It also included interactive discussions, where students actively participated and shared their views. The programme was informative and helped enhance students’ understanding of legal safeguards available for women.

Observance of National Girl Child Day

National Girl Child Day was observed in the college on 24th January 2026 with the objective of creating awareness about the rights, education, and empowerment of the girl child. The theme for the year ‘Empowering Girls for a Bright Future’ was highlighted during the programme. The session focused on the importance of girl child education, gender equality, and the need to eliminate discrimination against girls in society. The observance was meaningful and served as a platform to promote awareness and encourage a supportive and inclusive environment for the girl child.

Session on Awareness regarding laws, acts highlighting women’s safety mainly in workplaces

A session on Awareness regarding laws and acts highlighting women’s safety, especially in workplaces was conducted in the college by Vasai Janhit Trust on 4th March. The resource person for the session, Mrs. Smita Lopes, provided valuable insights into important legal frameworks such as the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Act and the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. She explained the key provisions of these laws, their significance, and the measures to be taken to ensure safety and protection in professional and educational settings. Special emphasis was given on the role and responsibilities of future teachers in creating a safe and respectful environment for students and colleagues. The session was informative and interactive, helping students gain a better understanding of legal awareness and their role in promoting women’s safety.

Session on Women’s Wellness and Nutrition

A session on Women’s Wellness and Nutrition was conducted in the college on 6th March by Dietician Sharon Gonsalves as the resource person. She provided valuable inputs on the importance of maintaining proper eating habits and a balanced diet for overall health and well-being.

During the session, she addressed common misconceptions related to diet and nutrition by busting various myths and providing scientifically accurate information. She also solved students’ queries, making the session interactive and engaging. The programme was informative and helped create awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyle choices among students.

Women’s Day Celebration

Women’s Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and active participation from students. The theme for International Women’s Day 2026, ‘For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’, was highlighted during the programme. The celebration focused on creating awareness about women’s rights, gender equality, empowerment and equal opportunities. Students were encouraged to recognise the contributions of women in different fields and to understand the importance of creating a society where women and girls can live with dignity, freedom and equal rights. The programme also provided an opportunity for students to reflect on the challenges faced by women and the need for collective efforts towards empowerment and inclusion.

Role Play Competition on Women Role Models

As part of the event, an individual role play competition was conducted in which students portrayed various women role models and highlighted their significant contributions to society. Students selected inspiring women from different fields and presented their life stories, achievements, struggles and contributions through creative performances. Through their role plays, students brought out the determination, courage and resilience demonstrated by these women and conveyed meaningful messages to the audience. The activity helped create awareness and appreciation for the achievements of inspiring women while also developing students’ confidence, creativity, communication and presentation skills.

Seminar on Women’s Safety

A session was conducted by Dr. Agnes Dcosta on 23rd September 2024 to create awareness about women’s safety laws, schemes for women and provision regarding education and women empowerment. Constitutional provisions in this regard were discussed. Landmark judgments regarding women related issues were presented as case studies for reflection. The resource person then oriented students about various schemes such as Mahila Police Volunteers, Nirbhaya Fund, One stop centres scheme, schemes for women entrepreneurs. Scholarships for encouraging women education were elucidated. Schemes specific to Maharashtra like Nav Tejaswini Yojana, Maharashtra Manodhairya scheme and other schemes were discussed.  Information about government websites and helpline numbers was disseminated. The session was then left open for sharing and questions.  The programme created awareness regarding women security and enabled the participants to reflect on the status of women in society. 

Observance of National Girl Child Day

National Girl Child Day was observed in the college on 24th January 2025 with the aim of creating awareness about the rights, education, and empowerment of the girl child. The theme for the year, ‘Empowering Girls for a Bright Future’ was highlighted during the programme. The session focused on discussing the importance of girl child education, gender equality, and the need to eliminate discrimination against girls in society. The session served as an important platform to promote awareness and encourage a more inclusive and supportive environment for the girl child.

Women’s Day Celebration

Women’s Day was organised on 8th March 2025 with great enthusiasm and active participation. The theme for the year ‘Accelerate Action’ was emphasized throughout the programme, highlighting the need for swift and effective steps towards achieving gender equality. The celebration included insightful discussions on women’s rights, empowerment, and the challenges faced by women in different spheres of life. Various activities were conducted including Role Play Competition was held wherein the students’ portrayed characters of prominent female personalities making the programme engaging and thought-provoking.

Session on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a special assembly was conducted by Ms. Jean on 25th November 2024. The assembly focused on creating awareness about violence against women and the need to promote safety, dignity, equality and respect. Ms. Jean highlighted the different forms of violence faced by women and discussed the importance of recognizing, preventing and speaking against such acts. The students were encouraged to understand the importance of gender equality, healthy relationships and creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

The assembly conveyed the message that ending violence against women requires awareness, education, empathy and collective responsibility. It encouraged students to become responsible citizens and contribute towards building a society based on equality, dignity, respect and safety.

Session on Potential Risks of Age and Addiction Awareness

A session was conducted by three resource persons from Women and Child Welfare Department, Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVMC) on 26th November 2024 wherein they provided valuable insights into the various risks associated with aging and the dangers of substance addiction, highlighting preventive measures and healthy lifestyle practices. The session included discussions on physical, mental, and social well-being, emphasizing the importance of awareness and early intervention. The programme proved to be an effective platform for sensitizing students to these important health and social issues.

Observance of International Day of the Girl Child

International Day of the Girl Child was observed in the college on 12th October 2023 to promote awareness about the rights and empowerment of girls. The theme for the year, ‘Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being’ was highlighted during the programme. The importance of girl child education in India was discussed, focusing on the challenges faced by girls and the need for equal opportunities in education. The session emphasized how education plays a vital role in empowering girls and shaping a progressive society, making the observance both meaningful and impactful.

Session on Gender Sensitization and Empowerment

A session was conducted on 12th October on Gender Sensitization and Empowerment by Mrs. Shalini Jadhav from Sakhya Foundation wherein she shared valuable insights on gender roles, stereotypes, and the need to promote respect and equal opportunities for all. The discussion also highlighted various aspects of women’s empowerment and the role individuals can play in bringing about positive social change. Students actively participated in the session, making it interactive and thought-provoking. The programme proved to be informative and impactful in sensitizing students towards gender-related issues.

Orientation towards Legal Provisions for Women

An orientation programme on legal provisions for women was conducted as part of the course Gender, School, and Society. The session focused on creating awareness about various acts and laws related to the protection and empowerment of women. Important legal provisions were discussed in detail, helping students understand their rights and responsibilities. The teacher guided the session, followed by an interactive discussion where students actively participated by sharing their views and insights. The programme proved to be informative and engaging, enhancing students’ understanding of gender-related legal frameworks.

Women’s Day Celebration

Women’s Day was celebrated in the college with great enthusiasm to honour the achievements and contributions of women. The theme for International Women’s Day 2024, ‘Inspire Inclusion’ was highlighted during the programme. The celebration included discussions on women’s empowerment, gender equality, and the importance of creating an inclusive society. Various activities such as speeches and interactive sessions were conducted, encouraging students to express their views and participate actively. The event served as a meaningful platform to raise awareness and inspire respect, equality, and inclusion for women in all spheres of life.

Book Review Competition on the ocassion of Women’s Day

A Book Review Competition was organised on the occasion of Women’s Day on 19th March 2024. The competition provided students with an opportunity to explore books that portrayed the lives, experiences, achievements and struggles of women.

Students enthusiastically participated by selecting books of their choice and presenting their reviews. They shared their understanding of the themes, characters and messages conveyed through the books, while highlighting the contribution and challenges of women in society.

The activity encouraged students to develop a reading habit, critical thinking and effective communication skills. It also provided a meaningful platform to reflect on women’s empowerment, equality, resilience and social change.

Session on Women and Health – ‘Revive and Thrive Through Physiotherapy’

A session ‘Revive and Thrive Through Physiotherapy’ was conducted by Dr. Concessao Colaco on 16th March highlighting the importance of physiotherapy in maintaining proper physical health and overall well-being. She explained how physiotherapy can help in preventing and managing common health issues, improving posture, and enhancing quality of life. Considering that it is a teacher training college, she also demonstrated specific exercises that are beneficial for teachers who have to stand for long hours, helping to reduce strain and maintain physical fitness. The session was informative and engaging, encouraging students to prioritize their health and adopt healthy lifestyle practices.