Is There A Need For Gender Sensitisation In Schools?

Much like societies, gender based perspectives have also been evolving over the centuries. From being edifices of anti-patriarchy to collaboratively arriving at solutions against social stigma, feminism has come a long way. But even today, as social vigilantes garner support for violence against women, there are many instances of male assault that pass without any social support.

In such a scenario, it is paramount to understand that the answer to male dominance does not lie in female superiority. Modern trends in fact clearly are veering towards gender tolerance, herein lies the key to an evolving society which facilitates a more sensitive environment for men, women and the third gender, alike. An understanding towards not only each other’s societal positions and aspirations, but also the psychological impacts involved; this is the utopia that needs to be crafted. 

Understanding Gender Sensitisation

Gender sensitisation refers to modification in one’s behaviour via awareness about the psycho-social impacts of gender discrimination. Gender sensitivity is grounded in empathy and is elementary for not only understanding the other gender, but also in some cases, to know one’s own self. It helps people introspect their beliefs and re-examine their seemingly real perceptions to result in a mutual sensitivity. 

The need for Gender Sensitisation

Yes, there is an urging need for the future decision makers of the country to know about inherent biological differences and imposed social limitations. Awareness regarding basic tenants of gender studies such as differences between ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ will empower the youth to accept biological diversity and strengthen their will to soar over stereotypes. If schools can teach subjects that’ll help kids choose better careers, surely they need to seed emotional awareness that will help them lead better lives. Additionally, parent-teacher collaborative support can transform the lives of many while ensuring unbiased gender-free decisions in their adulthood.

It’s not easy to give up traditions that have been passed on across generations. Although, traditional roles of women as home-makers and men as bread-winners are being challenged and defeated constantly today, the familiar gender-discrimination demon that thrives amidst jokes, anecdotes, media portrayals, religious practices, advertisements and other popular narratives, makes even educated folks believe in and commit gender based abuse.

As Al Jazeera reported in 2015, over 95.5% rapists in India knew their victims before the assault was committed. Thus, information dissemination about gender based violence is not enough to eradicate it. The need of the hour is to imbibe citizens with empathy, so that dominant patriarchal perspectives can be deconstructed. The urgency for gender sensitisation stems from this need to instil empathy into views about our own and other genders, so that it can help us observe, question and change both personal attitudes and popular beliefs.

Know the Means and Methods

The MHRD in 2013 advised the State Governments to re-examine curriculum and textbook material for ensuring gender positive material. In addition, there were teacher training modules devised to educate about the issue, and a checklist to improve in-class as well as extra-curricular incorporation of gender sensitisation. While such path-breaking initiatives are elementary in kindling change, the pressing need for measurable results still remains.

At the grass root level, girls are deemed too weak to participate in sports, the same way as boys are poked fun at if they pursue activities such as classical dance. In order to conquer such stereotypes, discussions/debates about the need for a humanitarian approach, rather than a gender-based approach to all matters could be a good beginning for change. In such a scenario, adult/parent education can also play an indispensable role to bridge the gaps between theoretical design and practical implementation of gender sensitisation.

The battle against gender based violence is half lost if we continue to be reactive. In order to minimise traumatic impacts on personality and mitigate psychological distress, we need to be proactive in initiating important measures for early awareness about gender sensitivity. As long as there are subconscious biases, the parasite of gender stigma will continue to proliferate across personal and professional spaces. Therefore, the need for empathy is more crucial today than ever, not only in order to secure the wellbeing of future generations, but also to give them an equal chance at contributing positively to the country’s unshackling growth.