CATCH THEM YOUNG - Gender Sensitising Kids with the Power of Theatre

Every time we bring up gender sensitisation - a common concern in our society echoes - do we need to teach our children about gender biases and ways to overcome them? Or are they too young to understand sensitive issues? Often Indian parents, when asked about the need for gender sensitisation in schools, feel that gender sensitisation could expose their children to things that we consider “vulgar” or “inappropriate”.

This shows that we as a society fail to understand gender sensitisation. Gender sensitisation is about teaching the children that their gender does not define them or who they should be. While most of us struggle to understand or grasp the importance of gender sensitisation, there are a few everyday heroes who have dedicated their lives to ensuring gender sensitisation for all through various methods.

Mishti Verma Thapar is the founder of YINDIA, a forum that uses theatre to address gender sensitisation issues. Here’s her pre-activist story.

Over the last decade, I have been working with women and children across the country on sensitive issues of gender and self-empowerment, using theatre as a medium. Let me share some experiences.

Working with Children:

A 10-year-old girl we worked with, was facing bullying and harassment from her older male peers. We used theatre and held personal mentoring sessions to build resilience and confidence in her. We helped her understand that she could and should do something about her situation, and that it is her right to do so. I believe this is something one must do from a tender age to all children alike.

At CLAP (Creative Learning Arts and Performance), we hold workshops and mentoring sessions for children. Catch Them Young is one of our programmes that literally 'catches' hold of young minds to sensitise and empower them about several issues.

We need to catch them young, because irrespective of their age, children face several issues relating to physical appearances, peer pressure complexes, intellectual complexes, etc. These are all issues that spill over into adulthood, which if left unchecked, can result in disaster. The crimes we see today are a result of psycho-social attitudes in our society.

A person is not born a criminal, circumstances turn him/her into one.

Importance of Gender Sensitisation in our society today

I cannot stress on it enough. It is essential because our already patriarchal society is rooted in bias and archaic, regressive practices. Regardless of class, creed or education, I have seen so many instances of working women facing such biases. We teach them to strengthen their own sense of identity, femininity, and power.

It also goes without saying that the media plays a large role - where we continue to objectify women. They have a powerful influence on everyone, including young minds. We need to shift the roles of women and men both, along with their portrayal even in the media; but before that, we need to teach that objectification of women (or men) is neither right, nor acceptable.

We need to remove the bias of gender, and create safer, more respectful and healthy spaces for all genders. That can only come through gender sensitisation, and the best way to achieve this is to literally catch them young.

We cannot hope for a society that is equal and progressive, unless we make sure that our children are exposed to gender sensitisation. As a society, it is our duty to make sure that our children are protected against anything that could turn them into victims or perpetrators of gender crimes. Unless we act today, we will see ourselves thronging the streets, seeking punishment for another juvenile involved in a heinous crime.

This movement by Tata Tea Jaago Re to make gender sensitisation a well-balanced programme that’s accessible to children in schools, could be the turning point in making our society inclusive and safe. Join Tata Tea’s petition, be a part of the change.

Sign Tata Tea’s petition for making gender sensitization compulsory in the school curriculum to pave the way for a better tomorrow. Click on Link or call 7815966666 toll free.

Alarm Bajne Se Pehle Jaago Re!