7 months ago
Sundarbans Program Challenges Gender Norms
In the Sundarbans, a group called Rupantaran Foundation is teaching boys and girls to do things that are usually done by the opposite gender.
Girls are playing kabaddi, which is a sport usually played by boys, and boys are learning to cook, which is usually seen as women's work.
This is to show that everyone can do any kind of work, no matter their gender.
The group started this in 2018 and recently had a big event where 386 children from different villages showed off their new skills.
Girls from Mousuni Island won the kabaddi game, and boys from Patharpratima won the cooking contest.
This is a small step towards making things more equal for boys and girls in the Sundarbans.
Rupantaran Foundation initiated a program in 2018 to challenge gender norms in the Sundarbans.
Girls are encouraged to play outdoor sports like kabaddi, traditionally seen as boys' activities.
Boys are taught to cook, breaking the traditional notion that cooking is only for women.
The program has expanded to 33 villages, with 386 participants in a recent competition.
Girls from Mousuni Island won the kabaddi competition, and boys from Patharpratima won the Cook King contest.
- Who
- Rupantaran Foundation, boys and girls from 33 villages in Sundarbans
- What
- A program challenging gender norms by encouraging girls to play kabaddi and boys to cook
- Where
- Sundarbans delta, specifically Joynagar-I block and Haripur in Namkhana
- When
- Started in 2018, culmination event on Thursday
- Why
- To promote gender equality and break traditional gender roles
Key facts
- Organization
- Rupantaran Foundation
- Location
- Sundarbans delta, Joynagar-I block, Haripur in Namkhana
- Year Started
- 2018
- Participants
- 386 boys and girls from 33 villages
- Activities
- Kabaddi for girls, Cook King contest for boys
- Challenges
- Social norms, poverty, cyclones, Covid-19 pandemic
- Judges
- Tulika Das, chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights
- Winners
- Girls of Mousuni Island (kabaddi), boys of Patharpratima (Cook King)
Quotes
Smita Sen
Secretary of Rupantaran Foundation and founder and director of the organisation
“Since 2018, we have been trying to bring Sundarbans girls to play outdoor games beyond their courtyards.”
telegraphindia.com
“Teenage girls are often afraid of stepping into what is seen as the ‘boys’ field’ because of restrictions at home. After our first 'hok kabaddi' programme in 2018, we saw several girls take to sports. Many of them can travel by train or bus, yet they hesitate to play in open fields because of social barriers.”
telegraphindia.com
Tulika Das
Chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights
“This is a very meaningful endeavour.”
telegraphindia.com
