An editorial for your school newspaper expressing your views on the ways to ensure gender equality among school children
Answers
Promoting Gender Equality Among School Children
Though the Constitution of India grants and states equality of status and opportunity to all the citizens, the harsh reality is gender equality is still a far cry in the male chauvinistic society in our country. In 2011 India was ranked 113 on the Gender Gap Index in a report prepared by World Economic Forum.
As a result of this discrimination, many crimes are committed against females. Cases of molestation, female foeticide, violence, etc. are on the increase. In some of the states of India such as Punjab and Haryana this heinous crime of female foeticide against the GIRL child has gone beyond limits. The average gender ratio in India is 933. Haryana is the state with lowest gender ratio of 861. The status of gender ratio with 860 girls per 1000 boys is as bleak and dismal in Punjab.
Schools can play a pivotal role in instilling a sense of gender equality among school children. First and foremost aspect to be looked into is the ratio of girl children in each class; the schools must ensure there are equal number of girl students and boy students in the classes. Similarly, equal number of girl and boy students must take part in curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities.
There should be lessons on gender-equality to instil in the minds of children why gender equality is so crucial for the holistic development of the nation. Students should be made aware of the consequences of gender-inequality.
At homes also parents can further corroborate school’s efforts by assigning house hold chores to boys. Unusually, in our culture, girls have to do kitchen work and house hold chores; boys must also be given these responsibilities.
The Government can legalize it by passing laws and issuing directives to states, schools, colleges, and universities.