Chitra Palekar who has made her directorial debut with her movie Maati Maay said that she had no illusions about her role as a movie maker but all she hopes is that her movies will make a sliver of difference in the mindsets of the people. She perceives the world as beyond gender and believes in the equality of women. Dismissing International women's day as a mere tokenism, she said, "Even though the day throws focus on the plight of the women in the society, we cannot disregard the patriarchy in the society. What is more important today is individual freedom." As a female film director she feels no pressure while working, this she credits to her purpose of her film making which is purely to express herself.

Madhavi Kapur, an educationist par excellence, opined that the government should strive for teachers' education and make it their first priority. Men and women both have equal responsibilities charting and contributing towards the growth of education today, she said, adding that experienced women should make it a point to meet once a year at such a platform and support the younger women who need their help and guidance. In her speech she motivated the audience on innovating with school education. She also talked about the black and white value systems that we currently practise and urged that we should understand that there are also shades of grey.

Niloufer Ebrahim, the celebrated psychologist and family counsellor gave a moving talk on parenting. Declaring that that there has been no change in the rate of abuses towards women or towards children but that it is only that the reportage has increased, she asserted, "Instead of living in compunction and stewing in the aftermath of heinous crimes, it is important that we take remedial action and learn that self-regulation though not always effective is the best way to deal with problems of these kinds."