USM, PENANG, 16 November 2016 - "Deconstructing and Reconstructing Sustainable Development: Implications for Gender Studies in this Challenging Times" is the theme for this year’s KANITA Postgraduate International Conference on Gender Studies (KPICGS).

According to the Director of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Research on Women and Gender (KANITA), Associate Professor Dr. Noraida Endut in her welcoming address, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with efforts to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and to protect the planet by 2030.

She said that, the SDGs were built on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as they ended in 2015; the SDGs would go much further than MDGs, addressing the root causes of poverty and the universal need for development for all people.

"We might need to deconstruct and reconstruct sustainable development, and the way we work and live now because the way we approach development affects everyone and the impacts of our decisions as a society have very real consequences for people's lives; it's also about ensuring a strong, healthy and just society.”

"This means meeting the diverse needs of all people in existing and future communities, promoting personal wellbeing, social cohesion and inclusion, and creating equal opportunity," she said further.

Meanwhile, the USM Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Wan Ahmad Kamil Che Mahmood said that, the gender lens is a significant tool in seeing the world more critically and can function as a ‘game-changer’ in our education system, because it would extend our corpus of knowledge to include critical analyses of the traditional assumptions and stereotypes about women and men.

"I believe that academic research and networking can play a key role in understanding the world we live in and can contribute strongly to the development of nations and welfare," said Wan Ahmad Kamil who officiated the KPICGS 2016.

Moreover, he added that, women constitute half of the world's population and therefore also half of its potential; however, gender inequality continues everywhere and has stagnated social progress and an inclusive sustainable development can never be achieved without addressing the tangible and intangible barriers faced by so many women around the world.

The Keynote Address was then delivered by the former Director of KANITA, Professor Dato’ Dr. Rashidah Shuib who would be retiring by year’s end, while the discussion session was moderated by Associate Professor Dr. Siti Hawa Ali, focusing on the relevance of gender studies in the process of deconstructing and implementing re-sustainable development.

The KANITA Postgraduate International Conference on Gender Studies (KPICGS) aims to bring together students and young scholars from all over the world, to share insights and experiences from research efforts relating to Women and Gender issues.

59 papers will be presented by participants from 11 countries throughout the 2-day programme at USM.

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah / Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa