LONDON
Dr Reyna Sequeira, associate professor of sociology at the Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Quepem-Goa presented a paper at the 8th International Conference on Gender and Sexuality 2025, organised by the International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM), in Bangkok-Thailand, on October 21-22.
Themed ‘Making an Impact in the Fields of Gender & Sexuality,’ the conference brought together scholars, researchers, professionals, and activists from over 100 countries.
The hybrid event, allowing both physical and virtual participation, offered a platform for dynamic and interdisciplinary dialogue on the evolving challenges and progress in the fields of gender studies and sexual rights.
Representing India at this global gathering, Dr Sequeira physically attended the conference and presented her original research paper on ‘Across Borders, Between Vows: Marital Challenges of Transnational Goan Catholic Couples Under Differentiated Passport Status in the United Kingdom.’
“This study was conducted as part of my post-doctoral sabbatical while based in the United Kingdom, where I had the opportunity to closely engage with the Goan diaspora community and gather first-hand data,” said Dr Sequeira.
The Differentiated Passport System (DPS) study, conducted by Dr Sequeira, examined how varying citizenship statuses impact Goan families settled in the United Kingdom.
“Within many of these family units, one spouse often holds a Portuguese passport while the other retains an Indian one. This disparity in nationality and legal status can significantly influence family dynamics, affecting marital stability, identity, and the overall sense of belonging within the diaspora community,” said Dr Sequeira.
The conference featured keynote speeches and panel discussions from globally renowned experts such as Prof. Shahana Rasool (University of Johannesburg), and Prof. Rachel Jewkes (University of Witwatersrand).
Dr Sequeira said these speakers addressed critical themes such as gender and legal systems, conflict and peacebuilding, LGBTQ+ rights, and intersectionality in policy and culture.
“Special conference tracks and workshops explored practical approaches to gender justice, including grant writing for women’s initiatives, combating gender-based violence, and achieving workplace gender equality,” said Dr Sequeira.
“Attendees engaged in valuable knowledge exchange and skill-building through pre-conference workshops on bibliometric analysis, research article writing, and publication strategies, led by seasoned academics from India and Indonesia.”
Dr Sequeira added that TIIKM also provided expanded publication opportunities, offering presenters the chance to publish in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and curated special issues.
“Through its “PublisHelp” support initiative, researchers were guided through editorial and submission processes to ensure that their work reaches impactful academic platforms,” said Dr Sequeira.
“The event concluded on a strong note, with Conference Chair Prof. Rasool emphasising the importance of continued collaboration across borders, disciplines, and communities in addressing gender and sexual inequalities.”
“I thank Goa’s Director of Higher Education Bhushan Savoikar, and my college principal, Dr Pravina Kerkar, for granting me permission to attend this conference.”
“As a participant and presenter, I found the experience intellectually enriching and globally inspiring. The conference successfully fostered a sense of solidarity among international participants, all striving toward a more inclusive and equitable future for all genders and identities,” she added.
