Gender sensitization: Reforming the Indian Psyche

In a world woven with social constructs that affect and influence human behaviour, both collectively and individually, ‘Gender’ is an aspect that is often brought to light in the context of the inequalities that arise in the course of the evolution of the plethora of social paradigms. Gender based evils, as prevalent as they are, must be uprooted from their source, and this will come from the true understanding of the social constructs that largely influence human behaviour in gender based issues.

Before we dive into the nitty gritty of this topic, it is very important to season our preview, which can be understood through the following example:

We are all aware of the concept of farming and weeding as part of it. In a field spread with a potentially rich harvest, the possibility of weeds growing is inevitable. These weeds have no use, yet grow from the nutrition that is much needed for the crops around. The farmer, however, ‘uproots’ the weed and doesn’t just cut it away; this will ensure it doesn’t grow again.

What is gender sensitization? Why do we need it?

*The Kautilya School of Public Policy (KSPP) takes no institutional positions. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views or positions of KSPP.

It is an undisputed truth that Indian society is largely uncomfortable and most often avoids discussing issues related to sexual intercourse, the possibility of genders beyond the conventional binary, and prejudices and stereotypes attached to genders and gender roles, to name a few. While it is important to recognise that sensitization is required, it is all the more important to declassify this social construct around gender in order to transform the Indian psyche.

Gender Sensitization is the greatest portal to declassify and shock the historically existing Indian psyche in the context of ‘Gender’ based issues. It is a clears concept that aims to feed into the mind of an individual an objective and prudent response to the social inequalities surrounding gender and thereby instils behaviour that contributes to building a healthier society where evils like ‘sexual assault’, ‘rape’, ‘domestic violence’ are phased out and one day can be termed as a thing of the past.

According to a survey by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 34,033 cases of rape were reported, yet the issue that arises with this very numerical value is how there is no classification and inclusion of rape against other genders. This reflects the importance of gender sensitization to dispel the inequalities faced by Men and the LBGTQ community.

The main question is how we can address it. How can this be tackled at the individual level?

The average Indian adolescent aged around 13-14, sitting in a biology class, is taught about the biological process of reproduction and its associated topics, such as the male and female reproductive organs. In simple terms, reproduction is ‘sex’; however, as prevalent as this term is, it isn’t discussed in class, thereby creating curiosity around this entire concept, which isn’t addressed in context to social reality and thereby leads to a vicious cycle of one’s thought processes which leads to evils and misunderstandings thereby leading to birth of social evils around gender!. The infused education of biological and social understanding of sex (biological), gender and sex at the tender age of adolescence will help build a society where individuals know how to be sensitive to other genders, including their own, thereby leading to building healthier social constructs for the future Indian society where ‘sexual abuse’ and other gender based violence are left as mere issues of the past.

At the school level, gender sensitization sessions that discuss good touch, bad touch, sex, and healthy behaviour with the opposite gender must be emphasized and introduced, if not already done, in order to equip young minds to completely eradicate unnecessary thoughts that might not be addressed leading to misunderstandings resulting in odd behaviours. A deep understanding and awareness of legal systems and frameworks, particularly the POCSO Act, must be introduced to dispel further the stigma associated with gender based issues.

At the undergraduate level, wherein one becomes a young adult, gender sensitization must be revisited and understood in the context of the various biological and social understanding changes that one goes through. It is important to note that the legal system in India encourages gender sensitization in undergraduate education, which can be seen in criteria 7.1 of NAAC. Since this criterion contributes to the ranking and accreditation of colleges, it is all the more a positive direction towards building an informed and healthy society for all genders.

May the exclamations filled with dread like “Teach your sons how to behave” or “Teach your daughters how to dress” be out of existence on the pure fact that young Indians of all genders are sensitive, respectful and honourable in their interactions and combined behaviour in the future Indian society.