Workbook to sensitise kids on gender issues

PUNE: At a time when selectiveabortions and skewed sex ratio threaten to disrupt the social fabric of thecountry, a workbook prepared by an NGO aims to sensitise schoolchildren ongender equality.The workbook is for children in the age group of 6-13 years and will give information on gender issues, gender communication and gender rights. It has been prepared by Pune-based NGO 'Samyak', in association with Centre for Health and Social Justice, New Delhi. The guidebookwill be sent to 100 schools across the state by July, with necessary trainingscheduled for teachers to interpret the workbook forstudents.Titled, 'Ankur Samaanteche', the workbook comprises 13 activities and exercises that will help students understand the biological differences between a man and a woman and also stress how societal and conventional norms dictating gender discrimination can be bridged, said Anand Pawar, executive director of 'Samyak'. "Illustrations, drawings,interactive sessions and other participative activities will help childrenunderstand and break conventional attitudes that fuel gender discrimination.Every activity is meant to help children value gender equality and contribute todeveloping their psychological and learning abilities," said Pawar.Every activity will be of 30 minutes duration. An orientationprogramme for teachers for usage of this workbook in schools will start in July."The workbook will be given to schools across the state through a network ofNGOs. Twenty schools in Pune have been selected. The guidebook can be used innon-classroom set-ups, too, for instance personality development and variouscommunity welfare projects. So far, we've distributed 550 copies in slums," saidPawar. The workbook will be introduced in the formal teacher'straining programme at B Ed colleges as well. "In July, we are likely to tie upwith a B Ed college in Pune, wherein my team will be providing sessions to theteachers-in-training on the right usage of the workbook. We want to work withseveral B Ed colleges for this purpose," Pawar said.