MSSRF commemorated International Women’s day through events at Chennai and at Wayanad centres. The event at the Community Agro-Biodiversity Centre, Wayanad focused on empowerment. A seminar on March 8, 2017 observed that lack of support from society dissuaded women from seeking justice. The event organized by Wayanad Adivasi Vikasana Samithi included community members, police, legal, and scientist participants.

“The Indian culture worships woman as Shakthi and believes that without her the world will cease. Today, women are highly vulnerable to attacks”, said Mr Rajpal Meena IPS, District Police Chief in his inaugural address assuring of the police department’s support to empower women.

Dr N Anil Kumar, Senior Director, MSSRF spoke of women’s crucial role in food and nutrition security of the family and how society was responsible to protect her from atrocities. He added that value-based education is key to women’s empowerment.

“Women should gather confidence to respond to abuse and feel free to seek justice”, said Dr V Balakrishnan, Head, CAbC MSSRF. Mr Mohamed Shafi K, Deputy SP, Kalpetta detailed laws to prevent attacks on women. Dr C S Chandrika, Principal Scientist, MSSRF said “The society needs to remove its garb of pseudo morality when it comes to the freedom of movement and basic rights of women”. Advocate Ms Babitha, held a session on legal rights for women and children.  Ms Suma Vishundas, MSSRF and Mr Aneesh Wayanad Adivasi Vikasana Samithi spoke on the occasion.

In Chennai, the LANSA consortium led by MSSRF, observed International Women’s Day on the theme “Will you #BeBoldForChange?” on March 10, 2017. Speakers included Director, Social Welfare Department Dr V Amuthavalli, IAS, Dr Farhat Saiyed, UNICEF, Dr Prakash V Shetty, CEO-LANSA Consortium, Dr Nitya Rao, University of East Anglia & Gender Lead LANSA, Dr R Rukmani, Director Food Security, MSSRF and Dr S Velvizhi, Co-ordinator, Fish for All Training Centre, MSSRF. An animation film on women and agriculture was screened on the occasion and ongoing research by LANSA was presented by Dr Nitya Rao.