Capacity building of teachers of Hisar to co-create gender inclusive classrooms :-)

“We can use chemistry to explain gender and sexual identity” said one of the teachers

To say I was surprised was definitely an understatement because like seriously how is chemistry related to gender identities?

“Assuming that elements are say male and female- then through chemical reaction could be correlated to sex and the compound that is formed is the child (intercourse) and reaction between same elements can be related to homosexuals. Also an atom has protons, electrons and neutrons- they can also be used to explain gender”

It was very innovative and creative way of engaging in sexuality education with the students by incorporating it into their respective subjects. 

This is one of the most crucial and defining sessions of the ‘Gender sensitization and capacity building program’ with the teachers. The session began with the screening of the video “Class of Rowdies”. This was followed by engaging them on how we can make safe and gender inclusive classroom. 

In the next activity, mind mapping around “How can you use your subject knowledge to talk on these tabooed issues” was done where in very interesting ideas came- like in mathematics: pie charts can be used to talk about girl education and abuse, during physical education – boys and girls would be encouraged to play all types of games demolishing the mindsets that football is boys’ game or indoor being girls’ game; civics- there is chapter on stereotypes and judgments – this can be used extensively to talk about gender; there are listening and reading passages given in English- these passages can be based on issue- for examples taboos based on menstruation; History can be powerful tool where we can also talk about women warriors, story of nomads to build on gender. 

Following this, teachers were engaged on “what all teaching aids you can use to talk on these tabooed issues?”

This included using chart papers, presentations, real life experiences, debates on issues, group discussions, games, videos, story-telling and theatre for example- on domestic violence, sexual harassment etc.

In the next part of the session, the participants were invited to prepare 10 minute session on any issues of adolescents- puberty, menstruation, sex education, body image, peer pressure or child sexual abuse based on their understanding from the sessions that we engaged with them. It was wonderful to see teachers sitting using their creative potential to fullest and prepare colorful and innovative sessions.

Biology teachers used chart papers to depict menstrual cycle, various contraceptive measures; another one prepared a chart where she depicted social and biological aspect of sex. One of the participants used concepts of chemistry to explain gender; many of them prepared sessions on child sexual abuse and peer pressure.        

        

It was also interesting to see how one of the teachers captioned her design as “puberty- not a punishment’-“Talk/share/react”. One of the teacher suggested using open session- where questionnaire, openly ask questions, video screening, ideas where there could be peer to peer learning and supporting each other.

It was overwhelming to see these amazing designs- so many different ways, styles and forms of imparting sexuality education and what enthralled me most was the look of willingness and happiness on the faces of participants to be able to accomplish the same!

We closed the session by inviting the participants to write about their experience of the two day workshop-

“When we were asked to attend the workshop, I thought it would lecture mode, we would sit and listen but this was so different- we were challenged, made to reflect on hidden parts of our lives, it was an overwhelming experience”

“It was an amazing experience, I learnt a lot”

“It was a good day, got to understand the mess our society is; the wrong practices and mindsets, enabling us to see and challenge the same”

“Workshop left me with lot of questions. How much we are safe? How can we build safe sexual, physical and emotional environment”

“Very informative workshop, shared personal experiences and learnt so many things”

“Wake up time, getting recharged, informative and loved it”

“We learn many more things that how we can communicate with adolescents on different topics”

“Interactive session, lot of discussion, talks, sharing on sex, adolescence, periods, sexual violence- important information to be delivered to our coming generations”

I am grateful and happy!