Centre for Social Research (CSR) conducted a half day Gender Sensitization Training in Delhi for the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI) on 11th September, 2016. The sensitization workshop was attended by those ICAI employees who are in-charge of the company’s Northern Region. Prior to this workshop, the same workshop was undertaken with ICAI’s Eastern Region employees on 27th August 2016 as well as the Mumbai chapter on 12th February, 2016. The objective of the trainings are to strengthen the capacities of the organization’s personnel, to integrate gender sensitivity in their peer environment and to improve their understanding on gender issues. The trainings also generate awareness about Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH), 2013.
To unpack a theoretical concept of feminism, gender and patriarchy, CSR engages with the participants in different activities. Gender Fence influences the participants to think out-of-the-box. Panchatantra stories are indulged in to challenge gender based perceptions and discussion on the same leads to conversations around genderized virtues and attributes. Through our experience of the innumerable trainings we undertake, we observed that participants are awed and there is an element of surprise when we have brought to light the fact that many gender perceptions are very insidious and sub-conscious. Instead of polarizing gender and thus miscommunicating misandry; CSR believes in making the women’s movement a holistic one, by engaging men in it. ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ is a small video that is screened at the trainings which demonstrates how harsh society is on men. In our society, men are forced to suppress their emotions and expression. They are made to take on the mantle of being ‘strong’ which is often driven in as unfeeling humans. As concluding note, the trainers orient participants on Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace (POSH), its relevance, importance and the genesis which resulted in this law. The participants’ feedback that is taken at the end of every training workshop, gives CSR a check-point to constantly improve on the weaker areas and to optimize on the strengths.
By the response we received so far, it has been an encouraging journey for us and we have realized how important it is to undertake targeted interventions with concerned stakeholders.
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