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Dr Vandana Shiva in her address, stated that the development that the world is pushing us towards, is, ecological destruction. We are working towards ‘change’ but we are moving towards the wrong kind of change. A change that will change the kindness of the minds, and destroy the beauty of mountains and nature around us. 

Track I : Women and Nature - Victims of Exploitation and Domination

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Yashadatta Alone, Professor, School of Arts and Aesthetics

He lamented the fact that women and their contribution is undermined or not recognised in India. Similarly women are not safe here. He gave the example of women in China who can safely walk the streets in the night after working night shifts at Toll Plazas. The same is not true in India and women who work in the night are not even respected. 

A Panel Discussion ensued wherein speakers: Ms. Qiyun Woo, Ms. Moli Ammanath Divakaran, Mr. Santosh Utamrao Rathod and Ms. Abhinaya Gaikwad generally averred that Ecofeminism is the movement about reciprocity; parallels were drawn between the destruction of the environment and the oppression of women; that women all over te world are treated as secondary citizens and that they must be empowered through education and skill development. 

Track II : Ecofeminism in India 

Keynote Speaker: Ms. Gurpreet Kaur, Delegate, United Nations Commission on Status of Women, UN Women

 In her talk, Ms. Gurpreet Kaur explained the concept of Ecofeminsim, Aristotle’s Great Chain of Being; 3 essential types of Ecofeminism namely, Cultural Ecofeminism, Socialist/Materialist Ecofeminism and Materialist Postcolonial Ecofeminism; Place of women in this movement of Ecofeminism; Why Ecofeminism has relevance today more than ever; Ecofeminsim and Business and Nature-a benevolent Giver 

Panel Discussion had speakers: 1. Dr.Rohini Sahni, Mr. Deepak Kumar, Dr. Zainura Noor majorly spoke about environmental problesms including water crisis faced by women in India and Africa.

At the end of Track II, papers were presented by the delegates and selective participants of the conference. 

Track III : Cultural Feminism 

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Amareshwar Galla, Professor UNESCO Chair on Inclusive Museums and Sustainable Development

Dr. Amareshwar pointed to the harsh reality that the pandemic has given us an opportunity to recognise the injustice we have done to nature and our women and to take corrective measures.. Triangulation of women, environment and climate is what he spoke of, to support his suggestion.

He narrated a touching incident where several trees were cut off to allow a better visibility of a museum [Amravathi Mahastupa]. Later, it was the daughter-in-law of a sweeper in specific and others in general who oversaw the re-planting of the trees in the surrounding area. This is how strong a connection is between ecology and women. 

Panel Discussion with Speakers: Dr. Roma Madan Soni, Ms. Arohi Munshi, Ms. Sophie Mackshaw,

Dr. Soni explained how the golden wombs of Mother Earth and women are being manipulated and destroyed; how women are inexplicably closer to nature than man and how eco psychiatry is needed to solve mental illness caused by eco degradation. 

Track IV : Environment, Ethics and Women 

Keynote Speaker: Ms. Mahak Agrawal Climate Policy Expert Ministry of Home Affairs 

Ms. Agrawal spoke about her initiatives to improve sanitation facilities for women; filing a petition with Government of India for a ‘open-defecation’ free India and opening up a dialogue in this context with the Cabinet Minister of Delhi for Health and Urban Development. 

Panel Discussion saw speakers: Dr. Nisha Bharti, Dr. Irnis Azura, Dr. Sunita Purushottam and Ms. Chhaya Sehgal, Director, World Trade Centre spoke about research about drawing correlation between Feminism, Sustainability and Environment; handling of food waste management at restaurants and schools and how women are leading the initiative to convert it into natural compost; Sustainability Strategy and Environmental Impact Assessment, Technology solutions for Sustainability etc., Chipko Movement

Track V: Sustainable Businesses

Keynote Speaker: Dr Rupa Naik 

Dr Rupa Naik illustrated that there is connection between women and nature by quoting women as part of Shakti. She highlighted the aspects of sustainable business practices in detail and inspired women to be educated and give respect to ourselves first. She explained the importance of education for women to become economically strong and use opportunities to become successful entrepreneurs. This was followed by case studies of sustainable businesses and the Valedictory address by Dr. Kalkar, Dean, SPPU.