gender equality… still a way to go…

I went to a training last week.  It was another NGO (who shall remain nameless, to protect the innocent), who specialise in Gender Equality in education.  They have a very interesting (genuinely) methodology, through the medium of art; anyone can draw, especially children, right?

I was there to observe (though I took full part) with a view to deploying it to a school we have some involvement with. They train the teachers on the methodology and the teachers than follow a programme with the children to influence attitudes and aspirations.  This concept is socialised to parents and village elders too.

In one of the sessions, you had to imagine the future of a young schoolgirl leaving Primary School; what could she do, or be, if she had access to education?  The vast majority would leave (through expectation, or plain direction from family and peers) to look after family, or get married and have family, or work – or all three.  There were many options discussed, mainly teacher, nurse, doctor, some suggested selling fruits and vegetables in the market, or opening a restaurant.  Some took it further and described an entrepreneur.  

However, one participant suggested the young girl could leave and have children, then sell herself to pay for their needs…

In another session you had to describe yourself in 3 words.  There were many expected adjectives (happy, supportive, God-fearing…), and some a little left field (beautiful), but my “favourite”, and remember this is about Gender Equality, was the guy who stood up and described himself as… a womaniser.