Our society face severe gender inequality and we nee need to find the ways to eradicate it from our society. This is an attempt for that.

2. GENDER EQUALITY
Gender equality, also known
as sexual equality, is the state
of equal ease of access to
resources and opportunities
regardless of gender, including
economic participation and
decision-making; and the state
of valuing different
behaviours, aspirations and
needs equally, regardless of
gender.

3. There is a need to be more aware of the
challenges women and girls in our country still
face, and what we, as a society, can do to make
a more a gender-sensitive environment, bust
stereotypes, and make our children, whether
boys or girls, more gender-friendly.

4. WAYS TO PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY

5. 1. Fight Gender Stereotypes
Children learn a lot from their immediate
surroundings , families, friends, school,
neighbourhood, media and books.
Stereotypes based on gender and its
internalisation starts at an early age. Children,
who grow up in gender-equitable environments,
tend to believe in gender stereotypes less than
their peers, who grow up in a gender-inequitable
environment.

6. 2. Promote Gender Equality At Home
Parents are the first role models children have.
So, if they grow up seeing gender inequality being
exercised or tolerated in this relationship, they
are more likely to be exposed to negative gender
role stereotyping. It is important for parents to
share household chores as well as outside
chores, participate equally in financial matters,
exhibit joint decision making and treat each other
with respect.

7. 3. Talk About Gender Issues With An Age Appropriate Lens
It is important for parents to talk to
children about gender-related issues in
an age-appropriate manner so that they
grow up to be more gender-aware,
gender-responsive and respectful.

8. 4. Imbibe Gender Equality And Respect As Core Values
Mutual respect for all irrespective of their sex,
caste, socio-economic status, religion, region and
educational status. These are core values which
start getting ingrained in young minds from an
early age. Hence, it is important to imbibe mutual
and unconditional respect, equality and
opportunity amongst all to lay a strong foundation
for a gender-equal society.

9. 5. The Right Gender Messaging — Gender Is Not Synonymous With
Women And Girls
Gender is often misrepresented as pertaining
only to women and girls. It is important to
create awareness that society creates gender
norms and stereotypes. Gender stereotypes
impact all of us, yet affect women, girls and the
‘third gender’ more.

10. 6. Tap Into Girl And Woman Power
Through knowledge, skills and leadership
development of girls and women, we can build a
resilient, empowered, and motivated
generation. Such a generation will have high
aspirations for self and a commitment to gender
equality and equity.

11. 7. Engage With Men And Boys
We all must share responsibility and
commitment towards gender equality, not only
women and girls. It also should not focus only
on women and girls. Engaging with men and
boys is equally important and helps in creating
an enabling environment for an equitable
society.

12. 8. Gender Sensitise Service Providers
Service providers – whether education, health, financial,
or legal – play a significant role in reinforcing gender
stereotypes.
If we sensitise this group on gender, they can promote
positive gender roles and norms, leading to a wider
impact. They can also provider gender-sensitive services
such as separate toilets in schools for girls.

13. 9. Celebrate And Promote ‘Positive Deviants’ In Society
Breaking barriers require bold steps by both women
and men, paving way for an enabling environment.
Recognising the ‘positive deviants’ in our society like
Mary Kom, the Phogat Sisters and their father is
important. We must promote their stories to
motivate others for progressive change.

14. 10. Media As A Game Changer
All forms of media must promote positive gender role
models and equitable gender norms through movies,
shows, documentaries, and articles. They can
communicate to the masses and have an impact due
to the depth of messaging and the reach.

15. A PRESENTATION BY
FAUMEDHA A T
KEYI SAHIB TRAINING COLLEGE