Training session “Gender is interesting!”

2.8.2021

An event which took place within the project “Network of Ambassadors for Gender Equality” is being implemented at the ER IHIRSPS. 

The project is being implemented by the NGO Workshop of Happiness, within the framework of the project “Women of Ukraine: Heard, Capable, Resilient” and is being implemented by Pact Ukraine with the support of the Government of Canada @Embassy of Canada in Ukraine.

We hear and use the word gender more and more often. It is often thought that this is a concept that relates exclusively to the protection of women’s rights. However, it is not. Our country has adopted the Law on Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men. So, gender is something that concerns us all, because we are all human and, like all living things in nature, we are divided into two sexes. How does gender differ from sex? Why is it considered that the concept of “gender” is key in the development of any country towards democracy and a happy, prosperous life? This is what we thought about and this is what we analyzed on July 30 at the training session “Gender is interesting!”. The event was attended by children from small towns, from 12 to 20 years old.

During the event, the participants discussed the common positions of girls and boys, which depend on various factors; defined gender attitudes; completed the task on the traditional views of men and women; discussed such questions: “Household is a woman’s business, not a man’s”, “Career prevents a woman from being a good wife and mother?”, “A man should be the head of the family and control family life” and so on.

There was an active discussion of modern gender ideas about the role of men and women. Participants also gave feedback on the “dark spots” of the past and where these or those prejudices about gender and the priorities of men and women came from. The creative presentation-drawing of a man and a woman after 100 years was unpredictable. To the question “What kind of society would you like to live in?” most of those present answered that where there is a choice, what to do, what clothes to wear and who to be. That is, in a society where there is no gender discrimination between men and women!

At the end of the meeting, those present summed up that gender does not depend on who you were born a girl or boyfriend, but on what time and in what country. What seemed strange and impossible 100 years ago is becoming common and correct today. We do not choose at what time to be born, but we can change our behavior, which at any time should be based on respect for human rights, for the equality of people, on protection from gender discrimination and violence!

According to the ER IHIRSPS