EXTENSION ACTIVITY ON GENDER DISCRIMINATION

Topic: Gender Discrimination

Time: 9.30-12.00Noon

Day and Date: 14^th September, Saturday

Venue: Haziyawala Community, Mohana Mandi Road, Jaipur.

The Department of Home Science of the IIS University organized an extension activity on Gender Discrimination on 14^th Sept 2019 in Haziyawala community. The extension activity was organized by Ms. Archana kumari, Assistant Professor, Department of H.Sc, Human         Development and students of B.Sc (H) H.Sc Semester III.

The programme aimed at creating awareness among women and children of urban slum about gender discrimination at home, school and public places.  

Target Group & Venue:

The target group for this activity was women and primary school children of Haziawala community. The reason behind selecting this particular section was that when the NSS team of IISU was conducting their activity, it was observed by the coordinator that many students especially females are irregular. The principal of the school informed that she talked to their mother and got to know that since in most of the family both the parents are working and they leave their daughter at home to take care of the home and siblings. So a urgent need was felt to conduct an extension activity in this area.

The activity was organized in the premises of Haziawala Government Primay school after taking the prior permission from the principal of the school. A total of 106 women and children of the community attended the activity.

Materials & Methods Used:

The whole activity was planned in three steps namely, Presentation, Role Play, games and Interaction with women and children. Materials were prepared accordingly like pictorial self- explanatory PPT, costumes, stick puppets for games etc.

First a game was played by all the participants in which questions were asked by the students regarding expected gender role. All the participants were given sticks puppet having pictures of girl and boy. They were asked to show the appropriate puppet according to them suited for that particular role. This game was conducted to have an idea about the prevailing gender streotypes and perception of gender role in the community. It was surprising to know that most of the household chores were expected to be done by the girl child whereas male child were given much freedom.

This was followed by a role play performed by all students depicting different ways in which gender discrimination is done by parents, family members and teachers.  All the students participated in this role play as per the role assigned to them.

  Lastly an interactive and counseling session was held with the help of pictorial PPT. Women were counseled to give equal opportunity to their girl child in every field. They were told about the changing gender roles in today’s society with the help of PPT.

Impact of the Activity:

It was observed that the interactive session was very effective. Women and children interacted with students about their prejudices and stereotypical thought. Many of them said that they also faced gender discrimination in their own family in their childhood. So they have those prejudices that girls are supposed to perform household chores and boys are better at outside work. One old lady was very sad as she was having two three granddaughters and no grandson. Many females were having two-three daughter but they are hoping to have a boy baby in the next delivery. Many females were workers and they shared their feelings that how they are being discriminated by their employer for their wages and leaves. Towards the end some of them realized that they need to change their stereotypical thought regarding gender roles.  The activity was ended with a hope that one day they will raise their voice against this shameful act. In the end small refreshments were given to all the participants. i.e. Poha and tea.