Gender Workshop

ZEST Gender Orientation Workshop by Breakthrough: A Report
By Mehul Rawat

11th August, 2015 Jane Eyre taught us, “Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts, as much as their brothers do…”ZEST brought Literature out of the four walls of the class as the department came together for a workshop on 11th August, 2015 in the Seminar Hall to work upon some very serious gender issues. This interactive workshop was conducted by Ms. Shweta Singh, Ms. Meeta Sen and Ms. Sanchita Ghosh- all great intellectuals, partof the reputed organization Breakthrough India. It is a very active NGO with the mission to make gender based violence unacceptable and to establish fair equality for every person irrespective of gender identity.

The event formally came to a start withthe lighting of the lamp by our guests and a warmopening speech by SujaChandran, ZEST President, andtokens of Welcome were passed on to the guests by the ZEST faculty members. After a word from our beloved teacher, Dr.AnubhaMukherji on the role and significance of gender studies, the workshop began in full swing. A riddle that tickled the mind and provoked thought hit the right chords against existing stereotypes. It left us thinking how we had so naturally and so wrongly assumed an engineer, an architect and a lawyer, all to be males.A Group-Discussion on the ‘characteristics and roles’ of the four broad gender identities of Man, Woman, Transgender and Inter-Sex was conducted. The importance of inclusion, acceptance and respect, and the hypocrisy of seclusion was highlighted. It was particularly stressed that each gender identity must be accepted, respected and space must be fairly shared as equals.

After the GD, the department dispersed for refreshment. Amidst grey clouds pouring their hearts out what could be heartier than to fill the canteen up like expectant birds in a nest, and with the lightning flashing what could be better than to get a few flashes and selfie-clicks for ourselves as well. The fun and frolic, giggles and peels of wholesome laughter was a welcome change after the couple of hours of good focussing and careful concentration.

The break got over and the workshop continued with discussion on Sexuality. A story was told which invited thought on the pre-decided, stereotypical roles, behavioural attributes and personality tenets assigned on a particular gender identity. Gender Orientation was discussed, upholding sexuality as very fluid and changeable and therefore something that must be dealt with very carefully. Suppression of sexuality and incompatibly oriented partnerships might lead to emotional and psychological strain and this must not take place at any cost. The discussion was followed by the topic ‘Gender and Choice’ with strings of examples and issues especially levelled at the reservation for women in public transport (the Metro, particularly) being thrown in as food for thought. Many doubts were cleared and many unfair beliefs were shaken as the discussion advanced on. The fight for creating a safe, conducive environment for women to facilitate their social mobility rages on and in order to have equality as the outcome, concepts such as reservation and all-girls institutions must be put into practice and respected. The sun had already set outside and despite the huge amount of content matter left the paucity of time demanded the workshop to be wrapped up. So a happy day of good learning came to a conclusion with a word of thanks from Sugam, ZEST student.

Everyone found the session to be greatly interactive, informative and everybody was glad to be a part of the event. The students were particularly enthusiastic and full of positive reviews. It was unanimously held that the office-bearers and other volunteers had done a fabulous job in organization of the event.Sanya, ZEST Treasurer, felt that the workshop was perfectly compatible with our academic syllabi and will complement our studies beautifully. Shrishti says regarding the workshop, “It is the best way for exposure as it is high-time to break orthodox mind-sets of the people.” Akash was particularly motivated- “We all are on a battle against injustice, discrimination and so as to say patriarchy. Hence we need more of such enlightening events and profuse discussions.” Every participant was inwardly affected and it seems such powerful impact will definitely stay with everyone for all times to come, so that one day we might bring about a world where each and every person can happily echo the words of Jane Eyre, “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”