Gender sensitization needed at school level to prevent abuse, say experts

NAGPUR: Gender sensitization is an important part of life and should be taught right from the school level, feel experts. On Thursday, almost 100 principals of various city schools attended the 'Gender Sensitization Training Programme' designed by an NGO Universal Solidarity Movement (USM).

The seminar, organized by a city-based CBSE schools group, focused on creating awareness about perceived gender roles in our society.

Another important aspect discussed was on how school principals can create awareness among girl students and prevent abuse.

Addressing the principals, USM's guest speaker Aileen Marques said that children are becoming aware of their sexual orientation early and even getting into relationships. An advocate at the Bombay High Court, Marques has dealt with cases of child and women trafficking.

Marques said, "The concept of having a boyfriend is getting common, but we have to be sure what the child's definition of that relationship is. I was once told by a girl studying in the primary section that she had a boyfriend who wanted to get physical with her citing some misconstrued reasons. Hence it is important that we create awareness among children so that they mutually respect each other."

Children are inquisitive by nature and will try to seek answers anyway for their questions, she said. "We need to be careful on what we say or do in front of children. They are constantly observing their parents, teachers etc around them and their activities. It is important that we keep talking to children so that they do not gain knowledge from the wrong places," Marques told the principals.

She went on to narrate real life incidents of how young school girls were forced into flesh trade by people they trusted. "A girl, coming from a rich family in the North East was conned by her male friend under the pretext of visiting Kolkata. She was however taken elsewhere and sold off to a prostitution ring. She was later rescued from Pune by the police. We have seen girls under the age of 13 being kept captive by brothel owners," said Marques.

But according to USM, gender sensitization is not be confused with sex education.

Alengaden said, "Gender sensitization is different and hopes to impart value education so that there is respect between both genders. A change in perception of the opposite sex has to come from within and children need to be taught that respect. That is why we are speaking with principals as well because under their direct control is our future, the children. We will also be speaking with Nagpur school kids as well in the next two days."

Mala Chembath, principal of Narayana Vidyalaya, said, "It was a wonderful learning experience at the seminar held at my school's premises today. I look forward to holding special sessions for my female students to make them understand gender roles. It is important for the females to learn about the importance of being a girl child and how to prevent abuse."

USM will address over a thousand children from 30 schools on Friday and Saturday. TOI

Posted in: The Report