Gender Sensitization Programme held 

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. 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 DWFCS –Bhopal Diocese organized a Gender Sensitization Programme for 3 days in Ratlam First Church, from 13 - 15 February, 2009. 28 participants from different Churches of the Diocese of Bhopal participated in this Gender Sensitization programme to affirm that gender is designed by God for appreciation and not for discrimination. 

In a male dominated country like India, women have been seen as lesser human being and made confined within the four walls of the kitchen only. Of course, thanks to the ecumenical movement for empowering women over the decades for which the trend is now changing and so is the attitude of people. The church has a vital role to maintain justice and equality in the society by creating space for women and bringing them to the limelight of leadership and professions. 

The training programme included morning worships being conducted in a creative way by the participants, group works and discussions, group presentations, individual exercises, role plays, interactive sessions through which real life instances came out of many inhibitions and finally summing up with an Action Plan for Starting a New Beginning in the local pastorates. It was a platform for the women to come together from the different Churches of Bhopal Diocese to encounter the challenges in regard to the gender issues. The role-plays that the participants enacted was a heart touching one for all women who joined hands to help one another on the whole issue of gender sensitization. The Coordinator, Women and Gender Concerns-CNI, Rachael Pradhan was the facilitator for the programme. The Bible Studies and discourses challenged the participants to stand against the forces that do not recognize their existence and contributions.