Media Release
Mangaluru, Apr 1: The Centre for Ethics celebrated International Women’s Day and International Transgender Visibility Day on March 31 with a meaningful and engaging program that underscored its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The event began with a soulful song performed by members of the transgender community, setting a reflective and inclusive tone for the proceedings. This was followed by the welcome address delivered by Dr Vina Vaswani, director, Centre for Ethics, who highlighted the importance of creating equitable spaces that uphold dignity and rights for all individuals.
The keynote address was delivered by advocate Merlyn Martis, who spoke on the legal and social challenges faced by women and transgender persons, emphasizing the need for awareness, advocacy, and systemic change. The programme was also graced by distinguished guests including Dr Abhay Nirgude, dean, Yenepoya Medical College, Obeida Shoukat, student welfare officer, YDU, and Dr Vijaya Hegde, head of the department of public health dentistry, Yenepoya Dental College, and Dr Aarron Reuben D'Souza, associate professor, department of emergency medicine, Yenepoya Medical College, whose presence added significance to the occasion.
The programme provided a vital platform for discussion and reflection on issues of gender equality, dignity, and the rights of women and transgender persons. It fostered dialogue that brought together diverse perspectives and encouraged collective responsibility toward building an inclusive society.
Importantly, the event also served as a foundation for developing a legal awareness curriculum tailored for transgender persons. This initiative aims to ensure that the curriculum is informed by community voices, practical legal needs, and a rights-based approach that promotes dignity and empowerment.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Naheeda Hamza, tutor, Centre for Ethics, who expressed gratitude to all speakers, participants, and organizers for contributing to the success of the event.