For those of us who have watched the movie “PINK”, we can never forget Mr. Bachan’s iconic dialogue in the movie, “No means No”. It came to be a slogan used by many in their day to day lives, including Judge Devan Ramachandran who adopted the phrase while passing an order and strongly mentioned that “Boys must know that they should not touch a girl/woman without her explicit consent. They should understand “No” means “No” (Aaron S John vs. TKM College Of Engineering, Kollam).
In 2023, the Supreme Court issued a handbook containing guidelines to combat gender stereotypes to serve as a guide for judges, raising awareness on the need to avoid stereotypes against women in all facets of their decision making and writing. It is as guardians of the legal and constitutional system that it is incumbent for the members of the judiciary to avoid employing stereotypes and thereby dispense justice impartially. The handbook also has reference to the rape case of Bhanwari Devi, the pivotal case because of which the Supreme Court passed the landmark judgement in 1997 formulating the Vishaka Guidelines; a set of procedural guidelines for use in India in cases of sexual harassment superseded by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013. We at Upceed Consulting Services (UCS) believe that gender sensitisation has a glaring inter link with prevention of sexual harassment at workplaces.
It is not untrue that misogyny has been practiced in our society since time immemorial and it is also true that a sensitized society will have lesser of the banes than a society that we are in today. Amongst others we can tackle misogyny by implementing gender sensitisation, teaching about gender stereotypes and supporting critical thinking. What is Gender Sensitisation? Well …it is simple…Gender Sensitisation is raising awareness about gender-related issues, recognizing gender roles, and identifying discrimination and privilege within genders.
So where do we start and how do we start? For Gender Sensitisation to be made effective, the process must be introduced in our patriarchal society at the grass root level- beginning at our homes. A child should be taught in the family, and thereafter in the beginning of school, that he/she must respect the other gender. As a matter of fact, boys and girls from a very young age, often grow up with certain sexist stereotypes – reinforced by peer and other social influences. Showing a girl/woman respect and honour is not old fashioned; on the contrary, is a virtue for all times. The archaic concepts of masculinity have changed, and we firmly believe that they need to change more. Sexism is not acceptable or “cool”. One exhibits strength when he respects a girl/woman. How one treats a woman gives an insight to his upbringing and personality. We must teach our boys to be selfless and gentle, rather than selfish and entitled. Likewise, girls must also be sensitized by empowering them with knowledge, skills, and attitudes that promote equality, respect for one and all, and awareness of gender issues.
Several educational institutions seldom focus on character building, but solely on academic results and employability. It is time to shift attention to value education – so that our children grow up to be well adjusted adults. It is of utmost importance that lessons in good behaviour and etiquette be made a part of the curriculum; and from kindergarten level teachers are encouraged to instill virtues and values in their students. Respectfulness is an imperative that needs to be inculcated at a very young stage in our society. To quote Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya, “Women are one half of society, which gives birth to the other half, so it is as if they are the entire society“.
It does not forebode well for the future when allegations of sexual harassment are accepted to be ubiquitous, as it appears these days. In this era with a greater influx of the female gender and the third gender into the workforce, it is imperative that everyone is sensitized to accept and respect the other gender. Corporates ought to implement gender sensitisation training programmes for their employees so that a safe and inclusive environment free from gender-based discrimination is created at the workplace. The ultimate goal is to promote respect and equality for all, and to modify behavior so that both genders are aware of and respect each other’s feelings. The outcome of gender sensitisation is what an ideal workplace, a society ought to be.
If you want the world to be a better place for your children, it must start with you. If each one of you start implementing gender sensitization in your homes, extended family, at work, there will be a massive change and tomorrow society will definitely be a better and happier place, and it truly won’t matter if it is a boy or a girl!
