Eliminating gender-based violence
History reads that as humans existed as nomadic ‘’hunter gatherers,’’ males were required to hunt during the day and in the night, to protect their families. Due to this, the task of bringing up the young fell to women and there was equal administration of
The Youth Advisory Panel’s group of volunteers
responsibilities. However, as humankind developed from hunting to settlements, the fear of threats to the young no longer existed, as they were safe within walls. The role of females shrunk to overseeing domestic activities while males safeguarded their homes. Power was based on physical strength and military skills and as a result, respect for what women did or were capable of doing, faded. This set in a belief that since men were the protectors of their property and possessions, women were duty-bound to them and could be treated in any manner men pleased.
The attitude towards women remained until the Industrial Revolution in the 19th Century, where the abilities of women began to be noticed. However, this was a threat to the male population as they came to realise that women no longer relied on men for economic support and protection. They felt threatened because the status quo of the ‘’predominant’’ gender fizzled out. Today, almost all developed countries provide equal opportunities to both genders; although most imbalances exist in developing countries. The belief that physical dominance trumps cerebral capability still exists, creating grounds for abuse, violence and discrimination.
By creating awareness and educating children that adhering to unverified authority on the basis of ‘’physical dominance’’ is detrimental, we can strive to change the beliefs of the people. In order to achieve equality for women, the mindset needs to be changed, and as the beginning of that mindset occurs best in the young, it is vital that we correct these notions by removing them in the youth, because real men don’t abuse.
| Youth Advisory Panel workshop
The Youth Advisory Panel on Gender Based Violence will be conducting their third workshop in Mullaitivu, on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3, in close collaboration with AGA Puthukuddiruppu, the Zonal Education Authority as well as the Department of Probation and Childcare Services. The first day of the workshop will see the Act Four theatre group using Interactive Drama as a means of enlightening the youth on the issue of Gender Based Violence. The group will perform potential GBV related scenarios and get the audience involved, by asking them to come up with potential solutions to the issue. The aim is to not only get the children actively thinking about the issue, but also to open their eyes to the truth. This will lay the foundation for YAP’s secondary objective, the establishment of Cell Groups in the community. The workshop’s aim is to advocate gender equality via the most effective methods: awareness, education and empowerment. The second day’s programme in Mullaitivu will include exhilarating sports and activities, hosted in a unique way, in order to exercise and implement all that was discussed at the seminar. The children along with the YAP team will be playing competitive sports such a cricket and football alongside each other. However, the teams will have equal numbers of both boys and girls so that they are required to work together and fully absorb the concept of Gender Equality. |