India Club organises its successful inaugural ‘Women Breaking Barriers’ event
India Club together with the partnership of Community Migrant Resource Centre held its inaugural “Women Breaking Barriers” on 5th July, 2017.
The event was aimed at bringing communities together, exchange views on distinct values, traditions, diverse art, music, food including their concerns of every day life, also be friends, laugh together and share ideas on enhancing harmony as well as deriving satisfaction and inspiration by working together.
There was a good response with great turn out, many of them wanted to develop partnership with India Club on value added community projects with a positive and encouraging feedback.
The attendees enjoyed the hot tea snacks and yummy lunch by Maya Da Dhaba as Club’s active member Mona Grover succinctly summarised the day’s activities.
Esteemed speakers from different professional background spoke at the seminar on women empowerment, highlighting the importance of a woman’s role in the society and in the community.
IC president Shubha Kumar suggested that breaking barriers is important for a woman’s physical, mental and emotional wellness which plays an important role in wellness of the community and the society at large.
Superintendent Rob Critchlow emphasised the importance of standing against any form of violence and strongly encouraged women to stand up against any family violence, speak up and seek advice.
Reena Jethi, successful businesswoman and budding politician spoke about the barriers that women need to break in this century and prioritise themselves and their profession instead of giving up on their goals. She strongly suggested that a woman can only be mistreated if the woman allows being mistreated and this mindset must be overcome.
The Hon. David Clarke, insisted on the importance of breaking barriers when a woman decides on her profession. He mentioned the rising number of female recruits in emergency services such as firefighters and police officers.
Councillor Dr. Michelle Byrne, highlighted mental illness which is a rising issue in the society and affects many Australian women. “Since many migrants in Australia feel lonely and can get affected by mental illness,” Dr Byrne advised connecting to other people, being grateful and volunteering and helping out in the community as an effective way to overcome mental illness as well as seek help
Nalika Padmasena, lawyer, pointed the importance of seniors’ health and suggested various ways to reach out to seek help to her group – senior’s service centre, a government run organisation to seek legal and non-legal advice.
Councillor, Hills District, Ryan Tracy motivated the audience and acknowledged the fact that 49% of people living in Hills district were born overseas which has huge implications on the shire. He mentioned the importance of events such as this to raise awareness and break the cultural and social barriers faced by the women in the society.
Sachin Sharma, an entrepreneur, provided guidance on breaking the stigma behind women becoming entrepreneurs. He stressed changing mindset and plunging into entrepreneurship and seeking help from the experts in this field.
Abhishek Guru, a yoga teacher, taught breathing exercises to cleanse out body and mind and to feel relaxed.
Uma Menon, the coordinator for Migrant Resource Centre spoke about the events offered by the centre to help new migrants settle in Australia and that the “Women Breaking Barriers” will be a space for women to come, feel safe and have loads of fun.”
Anju Kalra, dementia consultant spoke about the social stigma around dementia, “Seniors must be aware of the signs and symptoms and of the ways to seek help if they or their near ones are diagnosed with the same.”
India club’s initiative was supported by Sri Om Aged Care Centre, HDVPN & Soroptimist of the Hills, and Harman Foundation.
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