Gender Sensitization Programme held at the Diocesan level

The God given status for women is that dignity and equal status.Gender Justice advances the discussion on how women are seen, it also examines power relations between women and men as the basis of gender justice. We need to realize that gender analysis is not a threat to the Church, but a tool that can enable us to root out those aspects in our faith traditions that perpetuate the oppression, exclusion and marginalization of women. Gender inequality needs to be seen for what it really is a crime against humanity and a seat for the struggle for justice. This is the time to demonstrate that the Spirit of God is alive and dynamic, sustaining those who struggle for justice and enabling transformation to occur. As we know that “Life in fullness” is for all and to affirm the vision of restoring and enriching life by breaking down the walls that separate women from men subordinate one to the other.  It is to affirm the Church as the people of god, women and men in partnership, called to work together for dignity and genuine community based on love, understanding and right relationships.

Women want a different world where all human lives matter, where the goal of development is universal, human well-being and not the enrichment of few people in power. A strategy of transformation is needed to move us between two worlds-the world that is and the world that is yet to be. In pursuance of this cause and to contribute to the discussions and actions bringing gender issues relating to women, especially to work towards the gender sensitivity among the women of the Church of North India and also to build a movement towards empowering women with tools to challenge injustice against women, the Church of North India-Diocesan Women’s Fellowship for Christian Service organized a “Gender Sensitization” programme in 6 different dioceses starting from the month of February, 2008.

The programme included morning devotions led by the participants, sessions, discourses, group works, role plays, debate and interactions through which real life instances came out of many inhibitions. In all the dioceses there were a number of women representing different pastorates of the diocese who were hardly able to speak out even a word, in the process of discourses and interactions they were able open up and come up with their situations that they are undergoing at the local level. It was a platform for women to come together from different pastorates of DWFCS Durgapur Diocese to take on the challenges in regard to the gender issues. The Coordinator Women & Gender Concerns CNI, Rachael Pradhan along with the trained women from different dioceses facilitated the Bible Studies and the sessions. During the sessions, topics like Understanding Self, Gender Stereotypes in different Institutions /Different Roles, Women’s Positions in different Institutions, Role Play on Stereo Type, Concept of Equality and Equity, Ideal Society and Role Play – Family, Education, Religion, Media, Society and Workplace were covered which helped the participants to finally sum up with an Action Plan for starting a new beginning at the local level. The Bible Studies and discourses challenged the participants to stand against the forces that do not recognize their existence and contributions.