By Mrinal Badawe | Program Manager
Dear Donors & Supporters,
We are happy to post another report . Though we are unable to conduct all the project activities under the project due to shortage of funds ,. In this month we were also delighted to receive our friends - Hannah and Dan from the UK. They paid a visit to IDEA’s project areas, interacted with the staff and children.
We are happy to share a report on a few activities held in July & August 2013.
One of the major activity held recently was a Sensitizing program for the young boys and girls on the Declining Sex Ratio in Maharashtra state and India.
50 children in the age group 15 to 16 (Boys-23 and Girls 27) attended the program.
IDEA is conducting a series of Life skill sessions with the high school students. One of the topics is Gender sensitization. Two sessions were held with 10th Grade students on the above topic. The resource person oriented them with the declining facts and figures in Maharashtra State and India. The students opened up with the socio-cultural reasons in decreasing sex ratio. Some of the main reasons are Patriarchal system- girl after marriage stays with husband and his family, dowry system; son continues the family name , son is considered as a support in old age, security of girls etc. The boys took an oath that they will not take dowry and girls took an oath that they will not agree to give dowry at their marriage time.
Some young minds said they won’t allow sex determination and will protest if they come across any one or take help of the adults or inform the police.
Be the Change, See the Change
Various Sessions on Gender equality targeting different group’s in community are been held. After few sessions a debate was held between 20 students of 15-18years old.
The earlier sessions held included present scenario of the expectations and attitudes of people in respect to social, mental, physical and psychological aspects of both the sex.
The students debated on the points like education, politics, social security, secondary status in the family, wages, etc. Many boys said they wish girls should get equal opportunity in everything like education, sports, entertainment etc. Others agreed to it. Girls also expressed their deep feelings against the inequality.
The girls felt a need that they should fight for their rights, learn self defense, educate themselves and become economic independent.
We hope the boys and girls will surely think over it and such sessions and debates will bring change in their attitudes and practice.
Role of Adolescents and relationship with the Family.
Adolescent stage is a very crucial age with lots of changes taking place. It is very important for the adolescents to get guidance and support to get adjusted within their eco system. A few sessions were held on the role of adolescents and their relationship with other members in the family . The sessions included the roles and responsibilities of adolescents at home, at colleges, with friends and society as a whole. Through role play technique, the participants showcased their relationship and communication with their parents. The participants presented the most’ un- liked’ thing of their parents and the most ‘liked’ thing of their friend. In a Tree chart, they presented their strengths, important persons in their life and rewards which they are getting.
50% participants share their feelings like happiness, sadness with mothers only and 50% with both parents. 79% participants do not share anything related to their friends and in school with their fathers. Where as 21% prefer to share with mothers and friends. It was an eye opener for the participants themselves to know that communication gap leads to frictions at home.
Dear supporters we do want to include many activities and facilities like ‘self defense lessons’ , support for girls for higher education etc for girls . We request for your support so that we can overcome shortage of funding to implement ALL the proposed activities .
By Mrinal Badawe | Program Manager
By Mrunal Badawe | Programme Manager
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