Give to Gain: International Women’s Day 2026 Celebrations
Apollo Knowledge City enthusiastically and actively observed International Women's Day 2026 with a week-long programmes. "Give to Gain: Committed to Forging Gender Equality" was the theme of the year. The Apollo Women Empowerment Cell (AWEC), NSS Units of the institutions, and Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) coordinated the events. The activities were carried out in accordance with the "Honoring the Warrior Within" Flagship Initiative of the AP State Women's Commission. Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Apollo College of Nursing, and The Apollo University staff, faculty, and students took part in the series of events held from March 04 –March 09, 2026.
The Student Safety Report Release from March 4 to March 7, 2026, marked the beginning of the events. The report's main focus was on campus safety for students. It described the Internal Complaints Committee's function. The systems for filing complaints were also emphasized. The report raised awareness of student support services and safety precautions. The program encouraged students to ask for assistance when needed and to openly discuss safety concerns.
On March 5, 2026, a Women's Rights and Safety Awareness Program was held. The program's objectives were to inform students about their legal rights, safety precautions, available support systems and the significance of reporting harassment. The Chief Guest of the event, Dr. Ramya Ramakrishnan, Associate Dean, AIMSR, briefed the men and women to take equal responsibilities of safety, upliftment and roles to create a more holistic ecosystem in the society. Dr. Ramya also discussed the role that education and awareness play in empowering women. She urged pupils to be self-assured and accountable. She also stressed equality and respect in society. The resource person was Mrs. K. Naga Sowjanya, a sub-inspector from the Mahila Police Station in Chittoor. She gave an explanation of the laws protecting women. She also discussed how to file a complaint. She talked about students' personal safety and cyber safety. Students actively listened to the session and clarified their doubts.
The Campus Ambassadors Program was launched on March 5 and 6, 2026 and the Campus Ambassadors were selected. They were recognised in the Validictory and honoured during the program. The ambassadors will talk about safety and gender equality and also help other students when they need their assistance with regards to women safety and encouragement. This program encourages students to be leaders. Also, it promotes responsibility and support from peers on campus.
A drawing contest was held on March 6, 2026, and the theme was about gender equality and giving women more power. A lot of faculty and students took part in the competition. Participants showed off creative drawings that highlighted women's achievements, courage, and strength. The artworks sent strong messages about respect and equality. The winners of the Drawing Contest were as follows: Dr. Ramya, Head of the Department of Physiology at AIMSR, won first place. Second Place: Mounica, a psychology student and the third place: Vinay Nedi, a student from Apollo College of Nursing. The winners were awarded during the valedictory ceremony and the winners were appreciated for their creativity and meaningful presentation of the theme.
There was also a Reel Making Competition on March 6th, 2026. Students made short videos about women's rights and gender equality. The reels had messages about respect, bravery, and women's accomplishments. The contest pushed students to use digital media to share their thoughts. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes in the Reels Making Competition were awarded to Team “Break the Bias” (BPT 1st Year, 2nd Semester), Team “Jyoshitha and Team” (students from Biomedical Sciences, BPT, B.Tech Software Engineering, and Cyber Security), and Sreya Remanan and Team (MBBS 3rd Year, AIMSR) respectively.
There was a Walkathon and Campus Rally on March 6th, 2026, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. The rally was attended by students, faculty members, and NSS volunteers. People who took part carried signs with messages that supported women's rights and equal rights for all genders. The rally went through important parts of the campus. The activity made staff and students more aware. It also spread the message that women should be treated with respect and equality.
The celebrations concluded with the Final Celebration and Valedictory Programme on March 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM in the Auditorium, Dr. PCRKC, Apollo Knowledge City. The programme was attended by Smt. Katari Hemalatha, Chairperson of Chittoor Urban Development Authority (CHUDA), as the Chief Guest. She spoke about the importance of women’s empowerment in society. She appreciated the efforts of the organizers in conducting meaningful activities for students. She shared the example of the Apollo Group. She said Dr. Prathap C. Reddy started Apollo Hospitals with a great vision, and today his daughters continue that vision as strong leaders whom he proudly calls “Stree Shakti.” She said their leadership reflects the power of women when families trust and encourage them. She also encouraged students to work with villages and create awareness about sanitation and hygiene. She requested students, especially girls, to participate in the Swachh Andhra Mission to help build a clean and healthy Andhra Pradesh. She also highlighted the importance of women’s health and preventive care for building strong families and a healthy society.
Dr. Parvathi Bhat, Former Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), attended the Valedictory Programme as the Guest of Honour. She spoke about the importance of women’s health, education, and leadership in society. She encouraged students to work with dedication and confidence. She also emphasized respect, compassion, and responsibility in professional life. Her address inspired students to value equality and contribute positively to society.
During the valedictory programme, the winners of the competitions were honoured and received their prizes. The organizers appreciated the active participation of students and faculty members. The Campus Ambassadors were also formally recognized on the stage. They were honoured for their role and commitment. They accepted their responsibilities to promote awareness and equality on the campus. A pledge was also taken during the valedictory programme. The formal ceremony was followed by a vibrant cultural performances organised by the Arts and the Cultural Clubs, of the University.
The International Women’s Day celebrations at Apollo Knowledge City were meaningful and successful. The programmes created awareness about women’s rights and safety. The activities encouraged creativity, responsibility, and participation. The celebrations also promoted respect and equality within the campus community. The events truly reflected the spirit of the theme “Give to Gain: Committed to Forging Gender Equality.” The programmes also supported the message of the AP State Women’s Commission initiative “Honouring the Warrior Within.” The success of the program was the support and strong leadership of the team of coordinators, Dr Shaik Haseena, Convener, Apollo Women Empowerment Cell (AWEC), Dr Hima Bindu. G.B, Chairperson, Internal Complains Committee (ICC), Dr. Sravana Deepthi, Deputy Director - Student Affairs, AIMSR, Dr S. S. Shani, Co-Convener, AWEC, Dr Sai Kalyani Yogini. C, Ms Denika Fernandes, Members of AWEC, R . Prashanthi, Associate Professor, ACoN and Ms A. Gayathri, NSS Officer.