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The BHU violence has put the focus back on a pertinent issue -- is quality education without gender discrimination possible for our girls? #WomenOnTheMove
The BHU violence has put the focus back on a pertinent issue — is quality education without gender discrimination possible for our girls? #WomenOnTheMove
A lack of education for girls has always been taken for granted in India. However, given the new and changed world order, things have taken an upward turn and more and more people now realise the importance of girl education in India. However, the irony is that even though we have managed to put more girls in schools and colleges, retaining them is still a mammoth challenge. Studies reveal that compared to 57.39% boys, 60.39% girls dropped out before reaching the upper primary level and against 78.40% boys, 81.72% girls dropped out by or before reaching the secondary level.
If we dig deep, apart from the social barriers — like poverty, compulsion on girls having to look after the home and siblings, misconception that education for girls is irrelevant since ‘marriage’ is the ultimate aim of a girl’s life — security of girls in educational institution is one of the main worry that inhibits parents which results in a high drop out rate among girls.
Sexual harassment, gender discrimination etc on campuses are not unknown to us. The recent violence in BHU stemmed from a harassment incident on campus and the failure of the proctors present on campus to protect the student, and reveals the abysmal level of security guaranteed to girl students. The subsequent revealing comments by the Vice Chancellor, Girish Chandra Tripathi, also highlighted the high levels of blatant gender discrimination present in one of India’s most reputed and respected university. From different curfew timings for girls and boys hostels to mobile phones not being allowed in girls hostels to internet facility made available to girl hostelers only recently – as compared to boys hostels where it has been present since much before — gender discrimination lies threadbare.
Ironically, BHU is not a one-off case. Universities and colleges across India are no safer than a road where women are cat-called at on a daily basis.
A1 girls always went in groups bcoz of the fear of cat calling,inappropriate physical proximity attemptes by boys #WomenOnTheMove — Pooja Sharma Rao (@SoulVersified) September 27, 2017
A1 girls always went in groups bcoz of the fear of cat calling,inappropriate physical proximity attemptes by boys #WomenOnTheMove
— Pooja Sharma Rao (@SoulVersified) September 27, 2017
We assume that when it is one university, there will be one set of rules for all students. Sadly, this is not true. Discrimination based on gender is rampant in colleges and universities in India — starting from separate curfew timings to dress codes to restricted usage of mobile phones to unavailability of certain food types — all in the name of ensuring security for girls by limiting their agency on their bodies and freedom.
Curfews restrict women and infantalise them robbing them of control and agency over their own lives.#WomenOnTheMove#PinjraTopd#WhyLoiter — Why Loiter? (@whyloiter) September 27, 2017
Curfews restrict women and infantalise them robbing them of control and agency over their own lives.#WomenOnTheMove#PinjraTopd#WhyLoiter
— Why Loiter? (@whyloiter) September 27, 2017
If India wants its girls and women to stay in universities and colleges, it has to ensure a safe environment to pursue quality education. Beti Bachao Beto Padhao is reduced to mere tokenism if beti ki suraksha is at stake.
A3 no they don’t,very few are reported,those are hushed in the name of shame,most institutions don’t hv systems #WomenOnTheMove — Pooja Sharma Rao (@SoulVersified) September 27, 2017
A3 no they don’t,very few are reported,those are hushed in the name of shame,most institutions don’t hv systems #WomenOnTheMove
Some universities have functioning committees against sexual harassment they must be supported and emulated.#WomenOnTheMove#IstandWithBHU — Why Loiter? (@whyloiter) September 27, 2017
Some universities have functioning committees against sexual harassment they must be supported and emulated.#WomenOnTheMove#IstandWithBHU
Open campuses where women and men are treated like adults are a great way to combat harassment and discrimination#WomenOnTheMove@womensweb — Why Loiter? (@whyloiter) September 27, 2017
Open campuses where women and men are treated like adults are a great way to combat harassment and discrimination#WomenOnTheMove@womensweb
Very objectively, I don’t think so. Or at least, not completely. There are women who propagate that women should behave in a certain way. There needs to be a more broader understanding. More than women, we should have people who are sensible. — Nikita Jhanglani (@NikitaJhanglani) September 27, 2017
Very objectively, I don’t think so. Or at least, not completely. There are women who propagate that women should behave in a certain way. There needs to be a more broader understanding. More than women, we should have people who are sensible.
— Nikita Jhanglani (@NikitaJhanglani) September 27, 2017
Image: Pixabay
A part time backpacker, an accidental baker, a doting mother, a loving wife, a pampered daughter, an inspired blogger, an amateur photographer read more...
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