Movie and Conversations A Movie Screening & SDG 5 Dialogue

The event Cinema & Conversations was organized as part of the SDG Week Celebrations at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus, under the initiative of the SDG Cell in collaboration with the Department of Statistics and Data Science, School of Sciences. The programme was conducted as an Advanced Learners’ Activity under the Gender Economics course (SCI306B-6L) offered to students of BSc Economics and Analytics. The primary objective of the event was to promote gender sensitivity, gender equity, and inclusive social awareness in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender Equality.

The initiative was conceptualized to bridge classroom-based theoretical learning with real-world gender issues through an experiential learning approach. Recognizing that gender economics extends beyond statistical indicators and policy discussions, the programme aimed to provide students with a reflective platform to critically engage with socio-cultural norms, gender roles, unpaid care work, women’s agency, economic dependency, and intra-household decision-making power. By integrating cinematic representation with academic analysis, the activity encouraged students to examine structural inequalities embedded within everyday social practices.

The event featured a screening of the film Pagglait, which served as a pedagogical tool to explore themes of gender-based social expectations and women’s autonomy. The narrative of the film provided a relevant context to analyse the intersection of patriarchy, economic independence, widowhood norms, and bargaining power within the household. Through the lens of Gender Economics, the screening functioned as an experiential case study, allowing students to interpret how socio-cultural constraints influence women’s participation in economic and social spheres.

Following the screening, a structured academic discussion and critical reflection session was conducted. The session was actively led by advanced learners Ms. Shubhalaxmi Jaydeep Sagare (23112313) and Ms. Mehuli Dutta (23112308), who presented analytical insights connecting the cinematic narrative to core theoretical concepts studied in the course. Their reflections highlighted themes such as intra-household bargaining models, gendered division of labour, social conditioning, and the economic implications of unpaid care responsibilities. The discussion also examined how control over financial resources and property shapes women’s autonomy and life choices, reinforcing theoretical frameworks discussed in class.

The interactive session encouraged peer learning and interdisciplinary dialogue. Participants critically reflected on contemporary gender challenges, including economic vulnerability, social stigma, and limited decision-making authority faced by women in patriarchal contexts. The discussion extended to policy relevance, examining how gender-responsive policies and inclusive institutional practices contribute to achieving equitable development outcomes. Students engaged thoughtfully with questions related to agency, empowerment, and the structural roots of inequality, demonstrating their ability to apply academic knowledge to societal issues.

The programme adopted a participatory and student-centric learning model. While faculty provided academic guidance and ensured conceptual clarity, the ownership of discussion and analysis was deliberately entrusted to students. This approach strengthened critical thinking, communication skills, and analytical reasoning among participants. It also reinforced the importance of collaborative dialogue in addressing complex social challenges. The experiential format enabled learners to move beyond textbook understanding and engage with lived realities represented through cinema. The event witnessed active participation from students and faculty members across programmes, creating an inclusive platform for knowledge exchange. The atmosphere of open dialogue fostered respectful discussion on sensitive gender issues, thereby promoting awareness and empathy. By linking SDG 5 with academic discourse, the initiative emphasized the role of higher education institutions in cultivating socially responsible citizens and gender-responsive thinkers.

Overall, Cinema & Conversations successfully combined academic rigor with social awareness. The activity strengthened gender sensitivity among students, encouraged reflective engagement with structural inequalities, and reinforced the relevance of Gender Economics in understanding contemporary social realities. As part of the SDG Week Celebrations, the event contributed meaningfully to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 5 and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to inclusive education, sustainable development, and student-led academic initiatives. The programme stands as a good pedagogical practice integrating experiential learning, critical inquiry, and SDG-oriented engagement within the curriculum framework.

Key Takeaways:

• Increased awareness on gender sensitivity, gender equity, and inclusive social development.
• Improved critical thinking on gender-based socio-economic challenges and cultural norms.
• The event functioned as an Advanced Learners’ Activity under the Gender Economics course, enabling students to apply theoretical concepts to real-life gender and development issues.