Patna. Jan. 9: A two-day University Grants Commission-sponsored national seminar on gender equality — a historical perspective, was inaugurated today.

The function was organised by the history department of Sri Arvind Mahila College in collaboration with Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library.

Principal of Sri Arvind Mahila College, Asha Singh, said: “Female infanticide

and dowry are some evils that still prevail and are a shame for our society. It is unbelievable that in this age of globalisation, women in most places are considered as an object of gratification and their merit is often not taken into consideration.”

He said: “A society cannot develop if both men and women are not treated equally. In our endeavour we will organise many such seminars to build a better society for women.”

Poonam Choudhary, the organising secretary and head of department of history, Sri Arvind Mahila College, said: “The patriarchal structure of Indian society is consolidated to caste, creed and religion. Equality for women remain a dream while she is confronted with harsh reality of neglect.”

In the technical session Shashank Sinha, Madulika Jaha presented their research work. Shashank presented the reality behind the practice of witchcraft.

He said: “In Chhotanagpur and Jharkhand, this practice is prevalent that features human embodiment of evil in women. It started with the property rights being given to women.”

He said: “Earlier, women were not considered as a landholder in this comm unity.”

Madhulika Jha, the director, Institute of English and Business Management, Amity University, spoke on the writings of writers like Shobha De, Sarojini Naidu, Kamala Markandaya, Bharti Mukharjee showing themselves struggling for their own identity.