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When we think of the word gender, it is the differences between women and men within the same household and within and between cultures that are socially and culturally constructed and change over time. These differences are reflected in: roles, responsibilities, access to resources, constraints, opportunities, needs, perceptions, views, etc. held by both women and men. Thus, gender is not a synonym for women, gut considers both women and men and their interdependent relationships. In pursuance to the above issue, the Diocesan Women’s Fellowship for Christian Service-Barrackpore Diocese organized a “Gender Sensitization” programme at the St. Peter’s Hostel, Canning 24 Parganas. There were 88 women form the different pastorates. 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. There were women 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 Barrackpore 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.
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