12 days as FEMINIST

 

12 Days as a Feminist

Sometimes, the most valuable lessons in theological education are not learned inside the classroom but in society itself.

Theological education is much more than studying the Bible and theology. It teaches us to understand people, cultures, religions, languages, gender issues, and the complexities of the society in which we live and minister.

After completing my first semester of theological studies in Kolkata, I was assigned a practical internship as part of my academic programme. I was asked to volunteer with an organisation called SWAYAM.

At that time, I had no idea that those twelve days would challenge my assumptions, broaden my perspectives, and teach me lessons that I continue to carry with me today.

SWAYAM

SWAYAM is a feminist organisation based in Kolkata that works towards ending violence against women and promoting gender equality through advocacy, education, and social activism.

Before joining the organisation, I had my own understanding of feminism—mostly shaped by what I had heard from others. Like many people, I had opinions before I had experiences.

Those twelve days taught me something very important:

Learning begins when we are willing to listen.

What Is Feminism?

Feminism is often misunderstood. At its core, it is concerned with advocating for equal rights, opportunities, dignity, and justice for women.

The purpose of feminism is not to create superiority but to challenge inequality and violence that women continue to face in society.

Whether or not we agree with every perspective within feminist thought, we cannot ignore the realities of gender-based discrimination and violence that exist around us.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The first day of our orientation began with a simple question:

"What is the difference between sex and gender?"

What appeared to be a simple question led us into deeper discussions about gender, social structures, inequality, and the ways in which society shapes our understanding of identity and relationships.

The orientation sessions included:

• Group discussions
• Games and activities
• Chart presentations
• Question and answer sessions
• Workshops and case studies

We discussed questions such as:

• Why does society privilege certain roles based on gender?
• How are inequalities created and maintained?
• How is power distributed within society?
• How do culture and social structures influence gender relationships?

Some of these discussions challenged me. Others helped me understand perspectives that I had never seriously considered before.

That, I believe, is one of the purposes of education—not merely to give answers, but to teach us how to ask better questions.

Learning About Social Activism

One of my favourite things that I learned during this internship was the meaning of social activism.

I have always admired social activists because they choose to work not merely for themselves but for the well-being of society.

Activism is not simply organising protests or conducting campaigns. It is a continuous effort to bring positive social change through education, awareness, advocacy, and community engagement.

At SWAYAM, gender equality was not merely a topic for discussion—it was a mission that shaped their daily work.

Their tagline beautifully summarised their vision:

"Ending Violence Against Women."

We discussed various social issues, including:

• Domestic violence
• Dowry
• Child marriage
• Human trafficking
• Gender discrimination
• Different forms of violence against women
• Victim support systems
• Community networking and awareness programmes

Listening to the stories of survivors and understanding the realities faced by many women reminded me that social issues are never merely statistics—they are human stories.

Campaigning in the Streets of Kolkata

As part of our practical training, we participated in awareness campaigns in different parts of Kolkata.

We distributed pamphlets and educational materials in public spaces and interacted with people from different backgrounds.

For someone who had come from Tamil Nadu and was still learning to navigate Kolkata, this was a unique experience.

Unknown places.

Unknown languages.

Unknown people.

Yet, the desire to create awareness transcended all those differences.

I also witnessed women activists using songs, street plays, and public programmes to communicate important social messages. Their passion and commitment left a lasting impression on me.

Small Lessons That Stay With Us

One unexpected lesson I learned during this internship was how to use Microsoft Excel while entering participant feedback data!

Sometimes, internships teach us much more than we expect.

Apart from social awareness, those twelve days taught me practical skills, teamwork, and the importance of organisation in social work.

Learning Together

I was not alone during this experience. Nine of us completed our internship together.

We learned together.

We discussed together.

We questioned together.

And perhaps most importantly, we grew together.

Education becomes even more meaningful when it is shared in community.

The Last Day

On the final day of our internship, our team visited rural communities to conduct awareness programmes.

We received certificates and gifts as tokens of appreciation, but the greatest gift I received was a new perspective on society and ministry.

Those twelve days did not make me an expert in feminism, nor did they answer every question I had.

What they did was teach me the importance of listening, learning, and engaging compassionately with society.

What I Learned

Growing up in a patriarchal society, many of us unknowingly inherit attitudes and assumptions that influence how we view gender roles and relationships.

This internship taught me to look at certain issues from perspectives that I had never considered before.

Theological education should never isolate us from society. Instead, it should prepare us to engage thoughtfully and compassionately with the people around us.

Gender equality is not merely a women's issue.

Gender equality is a human responsibility.

We may not all share identical perspectives on every social issue, but we can all agree that every human being deserves dignity, justice, respect, and equal opportunities.

The Bible reminds us that every person is created in the image of God.

If every human being bears God's image, then every human being deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."
— Philippians 2:3

Finally...

Those twelve days taught me that ministry does not happen only inside church buildings.

Sometimes ministry happens in classrooms, streets, rural communities, and conversations that challenge us to think differently.

Learning never ends.

And perhaps one of the greatest gifts of theological education is learning how to become a better listener, learner, and servant of society.

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Originally written during my first semester of theological studies in Kolkata and revised in 2026.

With love,

Rev. Dn. R. Daniel Justine
Raise Lives
www.raiselives.in