The Women’s Studies Centre at Jesus and Mary College is a compulsory and UGC-recognized society dedicated to instilling a feminist consciousness in students and motivating feminist actions. Through certificate courses, speaker sessions, workshops, national student seminars, fundraisers, open mics, reading circles, research projects, and much more, the Centre provides a dynamic platform for exploring intersectionality, while encouraging critical perspectives. It aims at empowering and training the youth to be active voices of the newer generation.
The Centre boasts a strong general body membership of over 374 members, divided into four teams: Editorial, Research, Advertising and& Organizing, and a panel of staff advisors who all collaborate to create a diverse and inclusive environment. Its initiatives are designed to challenge and unlearn patriarchal and traditional views that hinder progress by helping students engage in crucial conversations, activities and other relevant issues that would contribute in the making of an inclusive and egalitarian society.
The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) in collaboration with the Women's Studies Centre, organised the outstation student support group session as part of JMC’s introductory bridge course for the first year students. We aimed at helping new outstation students settle in, the session opened with brief introductions to IQAC and WSC and their roles on campus. Attendees were guided through important college cells and locations to help them feel more comfortable on campus. The office bearers also shared everyday tips for managing life outside college, including using the metro or local transport, understanding basic fares and staying safe in a new city.
A short discussion on accommodation followed, covering PGs, flats and hostels. The session concluded with an open interaction where students could clarify their doubts.
Women’s Studies CentreSC began this academic session with Jansunvai: Open Mic, the aim of which was to provideit is an open and welcoming space where students are encouraged to speak freely and be themselves.
It was a warm way to welcome freshers into the centre, offering them a platform to share their thoughts and creative expressions. Through poems, personal anecdotes and even short stories, they spoke about issues that matter to them and how they see the world around them. The space allowed both freshers and seniors to come together, listen to one another and engage in honest conversations.
Jansunvai was more than a formal introduction, as it created a comfortable space where students could express their opinions without judgment. The atmosphere throughout was relaxed and supportive, helping students feel heard, seen and confident enough to participate openly.
Women’SC’s Studies Centre orientation was a warm and welcoming space to introduce the centre to the freshers. The office bearers and core team heads interacted closely with them, sharing what WSC stands for and the kind of work done throughout the year. Each core head briefly explained the roles and responsibilities of their department, helping juniors understand where their interests could fit in.
The orientation was overall fun and interactive, with open conversations, questions and informal discussions that made the space feel friendly and approachable. Freshers were encouraged to clear their doubts and get to know the team better
WSC conducted a reading circle on the theme “Exploring Intersectionality”, where a It created a reflective and engaging space was created for where members came to come together and to understand how different aspects of identity shape lived experiences.
The discussion explored how gender is closely connected with caste, class and other social realities, helping us see feminism as more layered and complex. The readings included: "Is Feminism about ‘Women’? A Critical View on Intersectionality from India" by Nivedita Menon, "Thakur Ka Kuan" by Omprakash Valmiki and "What Kind of Times Are These" by Adrienne Rich, served as starting points for deeper conversations. Members delved into these texts, unpacking their meanings and connecting them to everyday experiences especially with India's social context. This reading circle led to thoughtful exchanges, with members engaging deeply and discussing intricate topics with openness. Moreover personal reflections, questions and interpretations further enriched the discussion.
