12 days as FEMINIST
Here I Completed my 1st Semesters…
After the semester exams, we have a practical. I was assigned to Volunteer in an organisation Called SWAYAM.
SWAYAM
SWAYAM is a feminist Organisation. Feminists are the ones who support Feminism, the belief that women should be allowed the same rights, power, and opportunities as men and be treated in the same way, or the set of activities.
I volunteered there for 12 days.
“12 DAYS AS A FEMINIST.”
From the time we are born we are in the process of learning. Learn from everyone.
I learned activism from SWAYAM.
I like the word Social Activist because is not just a word but a word that refers to the people who work not for themselves but for society.
Social activists are doing a work called Activism. Activism is a continuous process of doing various campaigning to bring social changes.
Here in SWAYAM, they campaigning to bring a social change called Gender Equality.
I started this Practical With a lot of expectations.
The 1st Day of the practice started with a question
“What is the difference between Sex and Gender?”
This leads us to give a deep understanding of what is Gender and how it is unequal. Which includes LGBTIQ.
The orientation was done with different activities like Game, chart works discussion, Q/A sections etc...
They raised questions about How this society structured gender inequality
Why Not Mother as a Head of the Family?
Against imposing restrictions on women’s dress code
Also discussed Cycle of violence from Womb to Tomb.
How power is distributed in this society.
It took us to the caste system when discussing how power for women is structured in this society.
Results of this inequality,
Statistics: In India, 70% of women are victims of domestic violence.
Because of that SWAYAM’s tagline is
Ending Violence Against Women
Also, we discussed Dowry, child marriage, human trafficking, types of violence, Networking, victim’s story etc…
As a Part of awareness they conducted Workshops, I helped them by entering data of participants feedback.
Here I come to know how to use Windows Excel, it was a very good experience.
CAMPAIGNING
If we want to make a change in society, we need to move closer to the people in the community
As a part of Activism, I did a campaign in the streets of Kolkata by distributing leaflets. It was a strange experience in unknown places, unknown Languages.
Also, Women Activists performed some awareness programmes like singing songs, awareness play for the public.
DISTRIBUTION WORK.
Distribution work is also a part of creating awareness by distributing different Materials like booklets, Resource Directories for women. In public places like hospitals, libraries, universities, clinics, etc…
Getting around Kolkata in public transport eating roadside food during the festival (Durga puja, Diwali) period was a good experience.
I’M NOT ALONE HERE.
FINALLY
The last day…
We as a team of 15 people we went to some rural areas and did a campaign. Also, I got the Certificate and a Gift as a token of love. It was really a wonderful experience for me.
Gender Equality is a Human fight not a Female fight.
As we grew up in a patriarchal society, we often do not practice equality. Here I learnt to think from a feminist perspective.
We are all God’s Creation, God created us in God’s own image. So let’s treat everyone equal.
Let’s Consider others better than yourself
-Bible
Yours
Daniel Justine S.R
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