Interdisciplinary Seminar:
Education for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
Convener: Kathy Mumford, Australia
Education for gender equality and the empowerment of women through modification of traditional roles
Manjeet Sharma, Indian Federation of University Women’s Association
Nature has empowered all women through the gift of procreation, along with those of nurturance, tolerance and sensitivity. A woman is her own biggest enemy if she fails to realize her own inner strengths and weaknesses. She must, however, be educated to modify traditional roles so that she:-
- Is aware in fulfilling her own basic needs: psychological, financial as well as biological
- Loves herself and is her own friend; is optimistic for fellow women
- Becomes assertive in all situations, in decision-making and planning
- Is self-reliant in getting equal rights in family, society and the work place.
- Utilizes existing laws for her benefit
- Is ready to change and grasp opportunities
- Analyzes both her potential and her situation (finances as well as relationships); acts on her analysis
- Makes Purusharth her way of life with innovative solutions of day-to-day problems
- Can break with stereotypes, especially those which are demeaning in nature
- Learns to live the life of respect for herself as well as all around her
- Becomes a torch-bearer of change.
Beyond these steps, girls must be empowered to delay pregnancy until they are physically mature and be educated in family planning, gender relations, sexual abuse and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Women should improve their communication levels with the opposite sex to encourage men’s responsibility for sexual and reproductive behavior and participation in family planning. The United Nations Family Planning Association helps countries build capacity in this area.
Manjeet Sharma is Senior Personnel & Administrative Officer at the Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Headquarters. She holds degrees in Political Science and Public Administration and a Diploma in Communication & Management. She is currently Joint Secretary of the Forum of Women in Public Sector and a Corporate Member of National Institute of Personnel Management. She is also a Gold Medallist in Air-Pistol Shooting!